Fear and Uncertainty Drive Spike in US Citizenship Applications
Legal U.S. residents across the country are applying for citizenship in record numbers. Many say they feel pressure to act now before the Trump administration makes naturalization more difficult—or before they’re targeted for deportation.
Lawyers and advocacy groups report a surge in demand for citizenship workshops, legal help, and consultations as longtime green card holders grow uneasy about new immigration policies and enforcement actions.
“I’m a little scared about how everything is getting worse in this country,” said Guillermo Montejano, a 55-year-old cabinet maker from Mexico. “I’m trying to be safe.”
Legal Residents Worry They’re No Longer Safe
Montejano, who has held a green card for nearly a decade, is one of many legal residents who once saw citizenship as optional. Now, for many, it feels essential.
That shift follows a wave of recent detentions involving legal permanent residents, including the controversial arrest of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil. The Trump administration has targeted legal immigrants over political activism, triggering widespread alarm in immigrant communities.
“Nobody is safe. Not even if you have a green card,” said Rocio Adriana Anzo, a 54-year-old from Mexico who is now applying for citizenship with her husband.
Why Legal Residents Are Taking Action
There are over 13 million legal permanent residents in the U.S., according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Of those, nearly 10.8 million are eligible to naturalize, including thousands in high-immigrant states like Arizona, California, and Texas.
Green card holders can face deportation for certain crimes, and now, under the Trump administration, some say even past immigration history or political views are being used against them.
“Things can just change,” said Anzo, who persuaded her in-laws to apply after Khalil’s arrest. “I told them, ‘See? I’m telling you. Something is going on.’”
Lawyers: Citizenship Now Seen as Protection
Immigration attorneys say the trend is clear. People who never felt a rush to naturalize are now lining up.
“It became more of a crunch,” said Gerald Burns, an immigration attorney. “People that were perfectly fine as green card holders are now jumping in line.”
However, some are hesitant. Increased vetting under Trump has made even long-term residents afraid to apply. Burns said one of his clients backed out of applying after speaking publicly against Trump’s immigration policies.
“He’s petrified,” Burns said. “We were going to file, but after Khalil’s arrest, he said, ‘Nope.’”
Stricter Screening and Delays at the Border
According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association, many green card holders are now being detained during reentry to the U.S. or held for extended secondary inspections. Some say USCIS officers are asking every question on the application, even irrelevant ones.
“The interviews are taking longer,” said Kelli Stump, AILA’s president. “The English test is being super-scrutinized—not just the exam, but how you answer the form questions.”
Some fear the administration could make it even harder. Experts warn that Trump may reinstate a tougher citizenship test, like the one briefly used in late 2020, or demand more personal information in future applications.
Community Groups Step Up to Help
To meet the rising demand, nonprofit groups are hosting more citizenship workshops than ever before. In Arizona, Mi Familia Vota helped 45 legal residents apply in one day during a March 22 event.
“There is a lot of fear and uncertainty,” said Monica Sandschafer, the group’s Arizona director. “People are realizing a green card isn’t permanent—citizenship is.”
The organization, which usually holds two workshops per year, has doubled that number in 2025.
“People want that stability and security for their families,” Sandschafer said. “And they want a voice in the future of this country.”
Citizenship by the Numbers
USCIS reported that:
- 781,000 applied for naturalization in fiscal year 2022
- 818,500 became U.S. citizens in fiscal year 2024
- The top countries of origin were Mexico, India, and the Philippines
While USCIS hasn’t commented on 2025 data yet, lawyers and advocates say they expect even higher numbers as the election approaches and fear of new policies spreads.
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