Naturalization Statistics USA: Immigration Statistics by Country

In 2024, over 816,000 immigrants became US citizens, highlighting a continued upward trend in naturalization. For immigration lawyers, these US immigration statistics aren’t just numbers—they offer strategic insights into legal trends, client needs, and business growth opportunities. 

The 2025 Legal Industry Report: State of Immigration provides a comprehensive, data-driven look at these trends, equipping practitioners with the insights they need to thrive in a fast-changing legal landscape. It doesn’t just answer how many immigrants become citizens each year—it reveals who they are, where they come from, why these shifts matter, and how immigration attorneys can adapt their strategies in response.

This article highlights the naturalization statistics that defined 2024, including approval and denial rates, country-specific insights, and regional trends, so attorneys can apply this intelligence to business and practice development decisions.

How Many Immigrants Became US Citizens in 2024?

In total, USCIS received 993,120 naturalization applications in 2024. Of those, 816,180 were approved, with only 86,333 denied, yielding an impressive average approval rate of over 89%—a clear signal that most applicants were well-prepared and met the statutory requirements.

Trends Throughout the Year

• Q2 saw the highest surge in applications at 281,882, likely driven by a mix of public awareness efforts, policy shifts, and increased interest during an election year.

• Q4 followed closely with 276,008 applications, suggesting a renewed push toward the end of the year as eligible immigrants sought to finalize their status.

• Encouragingly, the denial rate steadily declined from 11.9% in Q1 to 9.99% in Q4, pointing to improved adjudication processes, better-prepared applicants, or both.

Bonus: Want to understand the N-400 process better? Check out our guide to Form N-400.

These shifts provide valuable insight into how many immigrants apply for citizenship each year and underscore how external factors, such as administrative priorities, outreach initiatives, and political milestones, can significantly influence filing patterns. For immigration attorneys, recognizing these seasonal and systemic influences can inform strategic client advice and proactive case planning.

Understanding Immigration Approval and Denial Rates in 2024

For immigration attorneys, naturalization statistics offer far more than the immigration numbers by year—they’re a real-time guide for shaping case strategy, managing client expectations, and identifying areas for business development. The trends in approval and denial rates throughout 2024 reveal not only the strength of the applicant pool but also opportunities for law firms to optimize how they deliver services.

Citizenship Approval Rate

The consistently high approval rate—above 89% throughout the year—signals stability in adjudication standards and suggests that most applicants are well-informed, well-prepared, and receiving adequate legal support. 

This presents a clear message for attorneys: Naturalization remains one of the most viable and high-value service areas in immigration law. The predictability and success of these cases can enhance client satisfaction and improve operational efficiency within law firms.

Citizenship Denial Rate 

A common question immigration attorneys face is: How many immigrants get denied citizenship each year? In 2024, the answer was 10.58%, with approximately 86,000 applicants denied US citizenship. While relatively low, this figure still represents a substantial group of individuals who encountered legal, procedural, or documentation barriers.

For law firms, this opens up a dual opportunity: first, to improve pre-filing screening and client education, and second, to offer targeted support for applicants with complex histories, prior denials, or marginal eligibility. These cases may require more diligence, but also allow attorneys to differentiate themselves through specialized expertise and advocacy.

Challenges With the Journey to US Citizenship

While the number of legal immigrants per year and the naturalization approvals continue to rise, the path to US citizenship remains complex. For many lawful permanent residents, the journey is not only a legal process but also a logistical and emotional one. Understanding how long it takes, how difficult it is, and how many eligible individuals haven’t yet applied helps immigration attorneys identify key pain points and new opportunities to support and engage potential clients.

How Long Does It Take To Become a US Citizen?

The average time to get US citizenship depends on various factors, including the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field office, case volume, and applicant background. Once a Form N-400 application is submitted, the processing time typically ranges from six to 12 months. However, this does not include the required period of permanent residency—five years for most applicants or three years for spouses of US citizens.

So, how many years does it take to become a US citizen? For most applicants, the timeline from green card to oath ceremony is about six to seven years in total, including residency and processing. However, delays in documentation, background checks, or interview scheduling can lengthen this process, making it all the more important for attorneys to help clients prepare early and thoroughly.

How Hard Is It To Get US Citizenship?

The question is commonly asked: How hard is it to get US citizenship? It’s a milestone, but it’s not without its hurdles. Applicants must navigate a detailed process that includes biometrics, a civics and English test, and an interview with a USCIS officer. That said, the 2024 approval rate of more than 89% suggests that naturalization is achievable for well-prepared applicants.

How Many Are Eligible for Naturalization but Haven’t Applied?

According to federal data, millions of lawful permanent residents (LPRs) in the United States are eligible for naturalization, yet the vast majority haven’t applied. In 2024, just 993,120 naturalization applications were submitted, while the number of eligible individuals exceeded 10.7 million, meaning fewer than 8% of those who qualified took the next step toward citizenship.

This gap represents a major missed opportunity—not only for immigrants seeking stability, mobility, and full civic participation but also for immigration law firms positioned to help them get there. The reasons for non-application are often complex and deeply personal. Common barriers include:

• Cost concerns, especially for families or individuals with limited income

• Language access and literacy challenges, which can make forms and interviews intimidating

• Lack of awareness or misinformation about eligibility or benefits

• Fear or distrust of government systems, particularly for immigrants from countries with histories of political instability

• Delays caused by life changes, such as moving, job transitions, or caregiving responsibilities

For attorneys, this unmet need signals both a challenge and a growth opportunity. It calls for proactive client education, targeted outreach, and accessible services that lower the threshold for engagement. Immigration law firms can:

• Segment their client databases by green card duration to identify those nearing eligibility

• Use messaging that addresses common fears or misconceptions

• Offer payment plans or help clients explore fee waiver options

• Partner with community organizations to reach clients where they live, work, and gather

With the right approach, firms can help close the eligibility gap while expanding access to citizenship, strengthening communities, and building long-term relationships with clients.

Naturalization Data by Region

Naturalization trends reveal more than just where new citizens come from—they offer insights into the social, economic, and policy dynamics shaping immigration to the United States. By analyzing US immigration statistics by country, attorneys can better understand who is applying, how long it takes, and what legal pathways drive citizenship outcomes. These data points can guide law firms in tailoring services, targeting outreach, and identifying client needs based on regional and national trends.

Countries With the Highest Approved Naturalizations

Understanding US immigration statistics by country gives immigration attorneys valuable insight into where naturalized citizens come from and how to tailor legal services accordingly. One of the most frequently asked questions is: Which country has the highest number of immigrants to the United States?

In fiscal year 2024, the answer was unequivocally Mexico, with 107,700 immigrants gaining US citizenship, accounting for 13.2% of all naturalizations. Mexico’s long-standing position as the top country of origin reflects decades of migration tied to family reunification, economic opportunity, and proximity to the southern US border. Many of these naturalizations likely stem from long-term lawful permanent residents who adjusted status through family-based categories.

The top 10 countries of birth for newly naturalized citizens in 2024 were:

1. Mexico: 107,700 (13.2%)

2. India: 49,700 (6.1%)

3. Philippines: 41,200 (5.0%)

4. Dominican Republic: 39,900 (4.9%)

5. Cuba: 33,700 (4.1%)

6. Vietnam: 33,400 (4.1%)

7. China: 24,300 (3.0%)

8. El Salvador: 21,900 (2.7%)

9. Jamaica: 20,000 (2.4%)

10. Colombia: 17,900 (2.2%)

Together, these countries accounted for nearly half of all approved naturalizations in 2024. The remaining 52.4% came from hundreds of other countries, highlighting the broad diversity of the US immigrant population. 

States With the Highest Number of Approved Naturalizations

When it comes to immigration by state, a handful of regions consistently account for the largest share of newly naturalized US citizens. In 2024, just 10 states accounted for more than 70% of all approved naturalizations, underscoring how concentrated immigrant populations remain in traditional settlement hubs.

The top 10 states for approved naturalizations in 2024 were:

1. California: 150,200 (18.4%)

2. Florida: 93,300 (11.4%)

3. New York: 87,100 (10.6%)

4. Texas: 79,800 (9.7%)

5. New Jersey: 45,600 (5.6%)

6. Illinois: 27,200 (3.3%)

7. Virginia: 24,900 (3.0%)

8. Georgia: 24,600 (3.0%)

9. Massachusetts: 23,600 (2.9%)

10. Washington: 23,500 (2.9%)

These figures reflect longstanding immigration patterns tied to urbanization, labor markets, and community networks. States like California, New York, and Florida have historically attracted immigrants due to their diverse economies, access to legal and social services, and multigenerational immigrant communities.

Understanding these state-by-state naturalization trends can help immigration attorneys identify where demand for services is likely to grow.

Bonus: For a closer look at regional asylum data and court activity, visit our asylum statistics breakdown.

Strategic Insights for Immigration Law Firms

Using macro-level immigration data to guide micro-level law firm strategy is no longer just a competitive advantage—it’s a necessity. As the immigration landscape evolves, firms that apply data-driven insights to their operations, marketing, and client services will be better positioned to adapt, grow, and serve clients more effectively.

Geographic Demand Forecasting

Naturalization USA data by state and metro area reveals where legal demand is concentrated and where it is emerging. While major states like California, Florida, and Texas continue to drive the bulk of naturalizations, growing metro areas in states like Georgia, Nevada, and Washington are showing increased activity that signals long-term demographic shifts.

Immigration attorneys can use this information to:

• Identify geographic hot spots for office expansion or localized marketing

• Tailor language and cultural services to align with the top countries of origin in a given region

• Develop partnerships with local nonprofits and immigrant support networks to reach underserved populations

• Track regional approval rates and backlog trends to anticipate future demand shifts

This data not only supports strategic growth but also helps firms deploy resources where they are most likely to make an impact.

Client Segmentation by Eligibility

More than 10 million lawful permanent residents are currently eligible for naturalization, but only a small fraction apply each year. In California alone, there are more than 2 million eligible individuals. As previously mentioned nationally, fewer than 8% of eligible green card holders submitted applications in 2024, signaling both a service gap and a market opportunity.

Law firms can use client databases and public data to segment their outreach based on:

• Years since receiving permanent residency (three or five years, depending on eligibility category)

• Age, language preference, and immigration history

• Geographic region and time of year, such as tax season or election cycles

Targeted campaigns—sent via email, SMS, or direct mail—can prompt action at key moments and position the firm as a proactive partner in each client’s legal journey. Annual status check-ins, educational webinars, and automated alerts tied to eligibility timelines can further build trust and improve conversion.

Case Type ROI Optimization

Naturalization cases remain one of the most reliable and efficient service lines for immigration law firms. With relatively standardized timelines and predictable workflows, they offer consistency for legal teams and clarity for clients, making them a strong candidate for scalable, flat-fee models.

To boost profitability and streamline operations, firms should:

• Track processing times and outcomes by office and case type

• Compare case complexity against flat-fee structures to assess profitability

• Prioritize high-approval, low-variance filings, like naturalization or straightforward I-130 cases

• Minimize resource-heavy, low-margin work that may generate requests for evidence (RFEs) or require multiple follow-ups

Tip: Explore our complete list of immigration forms for a deep dive into immigration forms and strategy.

Download the 2025 State of Immigration Report

Naturalization data offers more than a retrospective—it provides a forward-looking lens that immigration law firms can use to make smarter, more strategic business decisions. From identifying geographic hot spots and client eligibility gaps to prioritizing high-ROI case types, this data equips attorneys with the insight needed to streamline operations, expand outreach, and deliver better outcomes for clients.

The 2025 State of Immigration Report brings together in-depth analysis of naturalization USA statistics alongside trends in green card approvals, asylum outcomes, visa issuance, and immigration court decisions. It’s designed specifically for legal professionals who want to stay ahead of policy changes, caseload shifts, and evolving client needs.

Whether you’re growing your practice, refining your services, or building out long-term strategic plans, this report is an essential resource. Download the full report today.