How many immigrants naturalize?
Of the 37.5 million immigrants in the US, 15.8 million (42%) are naturalized US citizens. In Illinois, 780,000 out of 1.77 million immigrants (44%) are naturalized citizens. An average of 576,000 immigrants became citizens during the past five years (FY2002-6). Approximately 85% of all naturalization applicants are approved. The proportion of all legal foreign-born residents who have become naturalized U.S. citizens rose to 52% in 2005, up from 38% in 1990. Among immigrants eligible to become citizens, 77% of those from the Middle East had done so by 2005, compared with 71% from Asia, 69% from Europe and Canada, and 46% from Latin America. In the US, as of 2005, 8.25 million legal immigrants were eligible to become citizens, out of 12.1 million lawful permanent residents. In Illinois, approximately 370,000 legal immigrants are eligible to become citizens, out of 550,000 LPRs.
