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More Mexican Immigrants Becoming US Citizens

Number naturalized soared 50% in 2007

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 11, 2008 1:45 PM CDT
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(Newser) – In 2007, while the US hotly debated immigration reform, the number of Mexican-born immigrants who became American citizens skyrocketed, the LA Times reports. Experts attribute the jump—122,000 people took the oath, 84,000 more than in 2006—largely to an aggressive pro-citizenship campaign and a desire to beat steep fee increases. Applications rose about 50%, to 1.4 million, in the same period.

Community groups united in an effort to make immigrants aware of their naturalization options, helped along by a desire to have a say in the country's future, especially with a presidential election looming. "Immigrants are tired of the tone and tenor of the immigration debate," said one community organizer. "That climate has fueled their desire to have their voices heard."

This image released by the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago shows a detail from C Jane Run, a work that part of an exhibit on immigrant life at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago.
This image released by the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago shows a detail from "C Jane Run", a work that part of an exhibit on immigrant life at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago.   (AP Photo/courtesy of the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago)
U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Isaura Guerrero-Perez, formerly of Mexico, left, takes the Oath of Allegiance along with 29 other members of the U. S. Armed Forces Friday, May, 23, 2008 as they become U.S. citizens during a ceremony at the Pritzker Military Library in Chicago. The new citizens...
U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Isaura Guerrero-Perez, formerly of Mexico, left, takes the Oath of Allegiance along with 29 other members of the U. S. Armed Forces Friday, May, 23, 2008 as they become U.S. citizens...   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Cristoval Cuebas and 153 other ex-Mexican citizens wave flags after being sworn in as American citizens July 4, 2007, in Phoenix. Ever-greater numbers of Mexican natives are becoming US citizens.
Cristoval Cuebas and 153 other ex-Mexican citizens wave flags after being sworn in as American citizens July 4, 2007, in Phoenix. Ever-greater numbers of Mexican natives are becoming US citizens.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Illegal immigrants, on their way to the U.S., pray at a migrant shelter in Arriaga, southern Mexico, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008.
Illegal immigrants, on their way to the U.S., pray at a migrant shelter in Arriaga, southern Mexico, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Illegal immigrants travel in a train heading north, on their way to the U.S. in Arriaga, southern Mexico, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008.
Illegal immigrants travel in a train heading north, on their way to the U.S. in Arriaga, southern Mexico, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
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California sees a particularly big boom in naturalizations
San Jose Mercury News

Immigrants sending less money to relatives back home
East Bay Business Times

As tens of thousands of new citizens are sworn in, LA traffic slows to a crawl
Los Angeles Times

US

 
immigration reform • naturalization • immigrant • Mexican-Americans

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