Steady increase in Israeli applicants
Photo: AP
More Israelis seeking US citizenship
US report on immigration shows increase in Israeli citizens seeking American naturalization over past decade. Boost attributed to tightening immigration policies but also numerous Israelis involved in US high-tech
More than 25,000 Israeli citizens have raised their right hands and sworn allegiance to the United States of America since 1997. During that same period of time some 35,000 Israelis were granted permanent residence (green cards).
The figures were released in a recent report issued by the US Department of Homeland Security examining immigration during the years 1997-2006. According to the report 6 million people were granted US citizenship over the course of those years, 25,220 of those were Israelis.
Between the years 2005-2006 authorities noted a 16 percent increase in the naturalization of Israelis and a 17 percent increase in Israeli applicants for the process. Meanwhile nations like Mexico and the Philippines only saw 10 percent or lower increase during that same time.
The increase is largely attributed to stricter immigration policies in the US since the terror attacks of September 11th 2001 and speculation that screening will only grow tighter. More immigrants are therefore opting for naturalization.
Most recently naturalized Israelis have been living in American for a substantial period of time and many have applied for citizenship to allow their Israeli-born but American-raised children to study and work legally in the US.
According to additional US data some 35,000 Israelis have received a Permanent Resident Card (green card) over the past decade – this figure includes Israelis who were later naturalized.
The figures show a dramatic increase in Israeli naturalization compared to previous decades and experts attribute the cause to wide-scale Israeli involvement in the US high-tech industry.
Of course not all applicants are granted US citizenship; this is usually due to problems with applicants' background (criminal records or tax offenses) or frequent lengthy absences from the US during the five years they must reside there.
In 2006 the majority of naturalized foreigners originated from Asia (over 250,000), followed by Canada, Europe, South America, Africa and the Pacific.
