Washington, USA: India became the second-largest contributor to U.S. naturalizations in Fiscal Year 2024, with over 50,000 Indians gaining U.S. citizenship, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). India accounted for 6.1% of all naturalizations, following Mexico, which led with 13.1%. Other top contributors included the Philippines (5.0%), the Dominican Republic (4.9%), and Vietnam (4.1%).

Naturalization, the process of granting U.S. citizenship to lawful permanent residents, saw a notable demographic shift. Women made up 55% of naturalized citizens, and 37% of new citizens were between the ages of 30 and 44, with a median age of 42. The majority of Indian immigrants achieved permanent residency through employment-based categories, contributing to their significant presence in naturalization statistics.

The U.S. states of California, Texas, and New York, as well as cities like Houston, Miami, and Los Angeles, emerged as key hubs for naturalization ceremonies. These areas have large Indian American populations, underscoring the community's impact on the U.S. immigrant narrative.

USCIS highlighted that the naturalization process includes requirements like residency, English proficiency, and civics knowledge, with a 94.4% pass rate for applicants in FY 2024. The agency also granted fee waivers to 14.3% of naturalized citizens, aiding those facing economic challenges, particularly older applicants seeking family reunification.

In total, the USCIS naturalized 818,500 people in FY 2024, a 7% decrease from the previous year but still 12% higher than the pre-pandemic average.