Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

1M New Citizens Break Century Record

Fee increase helps immigration service clear huge backlog

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 7, 2008 3:49 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – Over a million new American citizens took the oath of allegiance last year—the highest number since the government began keeping records a century ago, reports CNN. The number of people going through the naturalization process has been steadily climbing for decades. The clearing of a major 2007 backlog—along with a push by Hispanic media for citizenship for eligible residents—helped boost the numbers.

An Immigration and Naturalization service is held at Comerica Park to swear in 100 individuals, including Detroit Tigers' Placido Polanco, as citizens, last summer in Detroit.
An Immigration and Naturalization service is held at Comerica Park to swear in 100 individuals, including Detroit Tigers' Placido Polanco, as citizens, last summer in Detroit.   (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Gerald Saint Louis of Haiti waits to be sworn in as a US citizen during a naturalization ceremony in Miami Beach, Fla., last year.
Gerald Saint Louis of Haiti waits to be sworn in as a US citizen during a naturalization ceremony in Miami Beach, Fla., last year.   (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Zack Brito, 19, of Canada, displays a new haircut and dye job during the Fiesta of Independence where he and fellow immigrants were sworn in as new US citizens last summer in Phoenix.
Zack Brito, 19, of Canada, displays a new haircut and dye job during the Fiesta of Independence where he and fellow immigrants were sworn in as new US citizens last summer in Phoenix.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Newly sworn-in US citizens pose during last summer's 46th annual Independence Day celebration and naturalization ceremony at the historic home of Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville, Va.
Newly sworn-in US citizens pose during last summer's 46th annual Independence Day celebration and naturalization ceremony at the historic home of Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville, Va.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Deportations set a record too
Miami Herald

Immigration services to go paperless
Washington Post

World • US

 
citizenship • Department of Homeland Security • naturalization • immigrant • USA • US citizenship

More Newser Stories

Superman Renounces US Citizenship

World War II Vet Discovers He's Not a US Citizen

Fight Brewing Over 'Anchor Baby' Citizenship

Illegal Population to Boom if We Kill 14th Amendment

France May Toss Out Polygamist Foreigners
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne