In recent years, the share of Indians in US citizenship grants has been steadily declining. While Indians remain one of the largest groups of foreign nationals granted citizenship, their proportion of total grants has decreased under the current administration. Understanding this trend involves exploring how US immigration policies, political changes, and broader global factors are influencing the citizenship process.
How US Citizenship Trends Have Changed for Indians
Over the past few administrations, the number of Indian immigrants receiving US citizenship has grown, but their share in the total number of citizenships granted has been shrinking. This is evident when examining the data from the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations. Let’s break down how the numbers have shifted over time.
1. US Citizenship Grants: A Growing but Declining Share
During President Obama’s second term (2013-2016), 1,76,152 Indians were granted US citizenship. This figure increased to 2,15,738 during Trump’s first term (2017-2020), and reached 2,31,563 under Biden’s presidency. However, the share of Indian applicants in the total number of US citizenships granted has been on the decline.
| Presidency | Indians Granted Citizenship | Share of Total Grants |
|---|---|---|
| Obama (2013-2016) | 1,76,152 | 7.4% |
| Trump (2017-2020) | 2,15,738 | 7.4% |
| Biden (2021-Present) | 2,31,563 | 6.7% |
As shown in the table, while the actual number of Indians receiving citizenship has increased, their share of the overall citizenship grants has fallen from 7.4% during Trump’s term to 6.7% under Biden.
2. Why is the Share of Indians Declining?
Several factors contribute to the declining share of Indians in total US citizenship grants:
- Immigration Policy Changes: Under President Trump, stricter immigration policies were implemented, which created bottlenecks and delays. However, Biden’s policy reversals led to an increase in citizenship grants but didn’t necessarily benefit all nationalities equally.
- Increased Global Immigration: As the US attracts more immigrants from diverse parts of the world, the number of citizenship grants per nationality becomes more spread out, leading to a smaller share for any single group, including Indians.
- Rising Citizenship Applications from Other Countries: With a growing number of immigrants from countries such as Mexico, China, and the Philippines, the relative share of Indians has decreased.
The Naturalization Process and Eligibility for US Citizenship
Becoming a US citizen requires going through the process of naturalization, which grants immigrants the same rights as those born in the US. In general, a foreign national must hold a Green Card for at least five years before being eligible for naturalization. If married to a US citizen, this duration reduces to three years.
Key Eligibility Requirements:
- Five-Year Lawful Permanent Resident: Most non-citizens must live in the US for at least five years as a lawful permanent resident before applying for naturalization.
- Spouse of a US Citizen: A spouse of a US citizen only needs three years as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR).
- English Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language and pass a civics test.
Trends in Indian Green Card Holders Becoming US Citizens
As of FY2024, the median duration for Indian green card holders to be granted citizenship was 6 years. Over the past decade, this median has remained in the 6-7 years range for most Asian immigrants. Despite the growing number of applicants, the path to citizenship has not shortened significantly for Indian nationals.
1. Impact of Covid-19 on Citizenship Processing
One significant factor in the increase in citizenship applications under Biden’s term was the resolution of backlogs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, many immigration processes were delayed, and the US government had to process an enormous backlog of applications after restrictions were lifted.
- In Biden’s term, the number of US citizenship grants increased by 18% compared to the previous administration, in part due to clearing these backlogs.
What Does the Declining Share of Indians Mean?
While the total number of Indian US citizenships is increasing, their share in the total grants is decreasing. This shift might raise questions about the future of Indian immigration in the US. Despite these changes, Indians remain a significant portion of the immigrant population, contributing to the cultural and economic fabric of the country.
Potential Implications:
- Increased Competition: The decline in share may reflect growing competition from other immigrant groups seeking citizenship.
- Future Immigration Trends: As immigration policies evolve, India may need to adapt to shifting trends in the global immigration landscape.
- Impact on Indian Immigrants: Indian immigrants may need to consider alternative pathways to citizenship, such as employment-based routes or family sponsorship.
What’s Next for Indian Citizenship Applicants in the US?
The declining share of Indians in total US citizenship grants is a trend influenced by various factors, from changes in US immigration policies to increased global competition for citizenship. Although the number of Indian citizens being granted US citizenship continues to rise, their share in the overall numbers is shrinking. This shift requires Indian immigrants to stay informed and adaptable in navigating the evolving immigration system.
While the journey to US citizenship remains a long one for many, the opportunities for Indian nationals to build lives in the US continue. Those interested in gaining US citizenship should keep a close eye on policy changes, eligibility criteria, and new immigration pathways.
