2015 US Naturalizations: Annual Flow Report

from the Office of Immigration Statistics

The US Naturalizations: Annual Flow Report for 2015 has just come out. 

Here are some highlights:

  • 36% of persons naturalizing in 2015 were born in Asia, followed by 34% born in North America, and 11% born in Europe. Mexico was the leading country of birth of persons naturalizing in 2015 (15%), followed by India (5.8%), the Philippines (5.6%), and the People’s Republic of China (4.3%). 
  • From 2014 to 2015, the number of naturalizations increased among immigrants from all regions. Among leading countries of birth, the largest numeric increase in naturalizations occurred among immigrants born in Mexico (11,069), the Philippines (6,224), India (4,359), and Vietnam (3,139). As in 2014, Iraq saw a continued increase (2.8%) in naturalizations following an increase in Iraq-born LPRs after 2008. Among leading countries of birth, the largest percentage increases in naturalizations were Bangladesh (30%), Jamaica (22%), Brazil (22%), and South Korea (20%).
  • California was home to the largest percentage of persons naturalizing (21%), followed by New York (12%) and Florida (11%).
  • The leading metropolitan areas of residence were New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA (16%); Los AngelesLong Beach-Anaheim, CA (9.5%); and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL (7.3%).
  • From 2014 to 2015, the largest percentage increases in the number of naturalizations among leading states of residence occurred in Georgia (36%), Maryland (34%), and Texas (24%). Among leading metropolitan areas of residence, the largest percentage increases from 2014 to 2015 occurred in Houston-The WoodlandsSugar Land, TX (47%), and Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA (28%). Of the leading metropolitan areas of residence, only ChicagoNaperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI experienced a decrease from 2014 to 2015 (-1.7%).
  • As in the previous three years, persons naturalizing in 2015 spent a median of 7 years in LPR status before becoming citizens.

The full report is available at: 

https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Naturalizations_2015.pdf