The total number of people over the age of 18 who became U.S. citizens in fiscal year 2010 was 619,913. According to the Bureau of Immigration Data, of that number, people from Mexico performed the largest number of naturalizations in the U.S.
Something remarkable about the report recently disclosed, is that there has been a large decline in naturalizations over the past 2 years. In 2008 there were over 1 million people who became U.S. citizens - a difference of over 400,000 people.
As you can see in the graph below, this drop is notable, particularly for people from Latin America:
| Country of origin | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 |
| Mexico | 67.062 | 111.630 | 231.815 |
| Colombia | 18.417 | 16.593 | 22.926 |
| Dominican Republic
Cuba |
15.451
14.050 |
20.778
24.891 |
35.251
39.871 |
| El Salvador | 10.343 | 18.927 | 35.796 |
| Brazil
Peru |
8.867
8.551 |
7.960
10.349 |
8.808
15.016 |
According to the report, the 2008 figures are a record, possibly due to a surge in applications filed in 2007, before immigration fees were increased. Campaigns encouraging eligible immigrants to naturalize to participate in the 2008 elections also played a role.
After naturalization, foreign-born persons can enjoy the same benefits, rights and responsibilities that the Constitution confers on U.S.-born citizens, including the right to vote.
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