Washington, D.C. — Legal permanent residents across the United States are applying for citizenship in record numbers, driven by heightened fears of deportation under President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration policies. The surge follows recent detentions of green card holders, including individuals with no criminal records, sparking anxiety within immigrant communities.
Key Facts
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Application Spike: USCIS reports a significant increase in citizenship applications as legal residents seek protection from potential deportation.
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Notable Detention: The arrest of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a legal resident, has heightened concerns among immigrants.
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Legal Residents at Risk: Over 13 million legal permanent residents reside in the U.S., with approximately 10.8 million eligible for naturalization.
Immigration attorneys and advocacy groups have observed a marked uptick in naturalization efforts.
Gerald Burns, an immigration lawyer, noted, “People that were perfectly fine as green card holders are now jumping in line.” However, increased vetting processes have also instilled fear, leading some to reconsider their applications. Burns recounted a client who withdrew his application after publicly criticizing Trump’s immigration policies, stating, “He’s petrified.”
The administration’s aggressive stance has led to detentions of legal residents, even those without criminal backgrounds. This has prompted many, like Rocio Adriana Anzo, a 54-year-old from Mexico, to pursue citizenship.
Anzo, who has held a green card for nearly a decade, emphasized the urgency, saying, “Nobody is safe. Not even if you have a green card.”
The broader implications of these policies are profound. Beyond the personal fears of deportation, there’s a growing concern about the erosion of trust in the immigration system. The shift towards more stringent enforcement measures has affected not only undocumented immigrants but also those who have legally resided in the country for years.
Historically, green card holders have enjoyed a sense of security, with the option to naturalize seen as a personal choice rather than a necessity. However, the current climate has transformed this perspective.
Do You Know?
As of 2025, over 13 million legal permanent residents live in the U.S., with nearly 10.8 million eligible for naturalization. This demographic shift underscores the potential impact of immigration policies on a significant portion of the population.
Key Terms
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USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services): The federal agency overseeing lawful immigration to the United States.
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Green Card Holder: An individual granted lawful permanent residency in the U.S., allowing them to live and work indefinitely.
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Naturalization: The legal process by which a non-citizen acquires U.S. citizenship.
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Enhanced Vetting: More rigorous background checks and scrutiny applied during immigration processes.