Washington, USA: Strengthening their foothold in the United States, Indians emerged as the second-largest group to acquire US citizenship during FY 2024. According to data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 49,700 Indians became naturalized citizens last year, representing 6.1% of all new citizens. This places them just behind Mexicans, who constituted 13.1% of the total.

Naturalization, a process through which individuals born outside the US become citizens, allows lawful permanent residents to obtain citizenship by fulfilling requirements outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

According to the report, the top countries contributing to new citizens from November 2023 to October 2024 were Mexico, India, the Philippines (5%), the Dominican Republic (4.9%), and Vietnam (4.1%). Collectively, these nations accounted for 33% of all naturalized citizens in FY 2024.

The report also highlighted that Indians are predominantly concentrated in states like California, Texas, New Jersey, New York, and Illinois—regions that exhibit the highest naturalisation rates. These states are known for their vibrant Indian communities, bolstered by abundant opportunities in technology, healthcare, and business sectors.

Experts within the immigration sector noted the significant presence of Gujaratis among Indian immigrants in the US. "Many Gujarati individuals initially obtain asylum, citing persecution based on race, religion, or political beliefs. Once granted work authorisation, even in cases where their immigration status is undocumented, they eventually apply for naturalisation," a source explained.