Fact Check: Approximately 25 million US citizens are naturalized immigrants
What We Know
The claim that approximately 25 million US citizens are naturalized immigrants is supported by multiple sources. According to a report from the Department of Justice, as of 2023, there are close to 25 million naturalized citizens in the United States. This figure reflects the number of immigrants who have successfully completed the naturalization process, thereby obtaining US citizenship.
Additionally, data from the Department of Homeland Security indicates that nearly 39.6 million immigrants who entered the United States since 1980 have become lawful permanent residents (LPRs), with approximately half of that total having naturalized by the end of 2023. This suggests that the number of naturalized citizens is indeed substantial and aligns with the claim.
Moreover, a blog post discussing US immigration trends notes that during the Biden administration, around 3.5 million foreigners became naturalized US citizens, further supporting the idea that the naturalized immigrant population is significant.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust, with credible sources confirming the existence of approximately 25 million naturalized citizens. The Department of Justice's report is particularly noteworthy as it is an official government document, lending high credibility to the figure cited. The report's context, which discusses the prioritization of denaturalization cases, underscores the importance of understanding the population of naturalized citizens in the current political climate.
The data from the Department of Homeland Security also provides a comprehensive view of the immigrant population in the US, indicating that a significant portion of lawful permanent residents have transitioned to citizenship. This aligns with the broader narrative of immigration trends in the US, where naturalization is a common goal for many immigrants.
However, it is essential to consider the potential for bias in the interpretation of these numbers. Some sources may emphasize the denaturalization efforts of the current administration, which could frame the narrative around naturalized citizens in a negative light. Nevertheless, the core statistic of 25 million naturalized citizens remains consistent across multiple reputable sources.
Conclusion
The claim that approximately 25 million US citizens are naturalized immigrants is True. The evidence from government reports and credible analyses confirms that this figure accurately reflects the population of naturalized citizens in the United States. The consistency of this data across multiple sources enhances its reliability, making it a well-supported claim.