America is Home: How Individuals, Families, Cities & Countries Benefit by Investing in Citizenship

When someone becomes a U.S. citizen, she is more likely to secure employment. Naturalized citizens also access higher paying jobs, earning 8-11 percent more than individuals who are eligible to naturalize but haven’t yet done so. In fact, if every working age person who is eligible to naturalize became a U.S. citizen, by some estimates, this would result in $9 billion in total additional income at their current jobs. 

In addition to a host of benefits for individuals, naturalization can have important macroeconomic benefits for local communities. These include a growth in spending power, higher GDP, and increased tax revenues, all of which can boost local economies. Finally, investing in naturalization can advance financial inclusion for immigrant families. Recognizing these benefits, the more than 65 participating cities and counties in C4C are working to increase citizenship among eligible U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents; these local efforts are highlighted throughout the report.

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