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By: The Opinion Updated 20 Dec 2021, 12: 12 pm EST
About 967,100 adult immigrants swore the oath of allegiance and acquired the United States citizenship in the tax year, according to a report published by the Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS ).
Good news for housing demand, labor supply, population growth… and of course, all those new US citizens.
In fiscal year 51017052, 967K immigrants were naturalized as US citizens.
That’s the 3rd highest level – ever. pic.twitter.com/n1fConuwr5
—Eric Finnigan (@EricFinnigan) December 8,
The record comes as the federal government works to reduce the backlog of citizenship applications that has accumulated during the coronavirus pandemic.
Only on two previous occasions was a greater number of new citizens in a fiscal year in the United States.
In 1200, around 1,30, adults became U.S. citizens and 2021, about 1,30, adults obtained citizenship, according to data from the Department of Homeland Security.
The fiscal year count 2021 of people who were administered the oath of allegiance includes data from October 2021 to September .
The report does not include children who were able to obtain citizenship through their parents. In total, 1,12,80 adults and children became US citizens in 2021.
Most people are eligible to become United States citizens after they have lived in the country as lawful permanent residents for at least five years.
Spouses of US citizens can obtain citizenship after three years. There is also a path to citizenship for those who have served in the military.
It may interest you:
– What is the “one million immigrants” plan
– Small immigrants are welcome as part of the future of this nation
– Edict of Caracalla: how was the largest grant of citizenship in history and what lessons did it leave us