Fact Check: "The U.S. has approximately 25 million naturalized citizens."
What We Know
As of 2022, there were over 24.5 million naturalized U.S. citizens, which accounted for approximately 53% of the total immigrant population in the United States (source-4). This figure has been corroborated by various reports indicating that the number of naturalized citizens has been steadily increasing over the years. For instance, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has noted that more than 7.9 million individuals have been naturalized over the last decade (source-1). Furthermore, the naturalization process saw significant activity in recent years, with approximately 878,500 individuals becoming U.S. citizens in 2023 (source-4).
Analysis
The claim that there are "approximately 25 million naturalized citizens" in the U.S. is supported by the available data. The figure of over 24.5 million naturalized citizens is quite close to 25 million, and it is reasonable to round this number up, especially given the upward trend in naturalizations. The USCIS data indicates a consistent increase in naturalizations, with significant numbers reported in recent years, such as the peak of nearly 970,000 in 2022 (source-4).
Moreover, the credibility of the sources used to substantiate this claim is high. The USCIS is the official government agency responsible for immigration and naturalization statistics, making its data reliable. Additionally, the article from Richard T. Herman, Esq., while opinionated, is based on factual data regarding naturalization trends and eligibility (source-4).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the U.S. has approximately 25 million naturalized citizens is accurate based on the most recent statistics, which report over 24.5 million naturalized citizens as of 2022. Given the upward trend in naturalizations and the reliability of the sources, the rounding to 25 million is justified.
Sources
- Naturalization Statistics - USCIS
- Immigration and Citizenship Data - USCIS
- Profiles on Naturalized Citizens - United States Department of Homeland Security
- 9 Million Immigrants Eligible for U.S. Citizenship in 2025
- Naturalization Statistics USA: Immigration Statistics by Country
- Key findings about U.S. immigrants
