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Timing of Naturalization Among US Immigrants

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  • Eva Dziadula

    (University of Notre Dame)

Abstract

When do foreign-born individuals acquire US citizenship? Previous studies hypothesized that those eligible for citizenship would choose to pursue naturalization early on in order to enjoy the benefits. I test this hypothesis using newly available information on the timing of naturalization from the American Community Survey (ACS) and I find supporting evidence. Controlling for observable characteristics in a hazard model reveals an interesting, nonlinear pattern of importance for the time spent in the USA. While the duration of stay is positively associated with naturalization, it is increasing at a decreasing rate. The likelihood of naturalization increases for approximately the first 20 years and then starts to decline.

Suggested Citation

  • Eva Dziadula, 2018. "Timing of Naturalization Among US Immigrants," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 791-811, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:19:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s12134-018-0573-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-018-0573-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrew J. Padovani & Cynthia Bansak, 2020. "EEA Immigration Symposium Introduction," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 46(1), pages 1-4, January.
    2. Eva Dziadula, 2020. "Marriage and Citizenship Among U.S. Immigrants: Who Marries Whom and Who Becomes a Citizen?," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 46(1), pages 34-52, January.
    3. Eva Dziadula, 2022. "Match quality and divorce among naturalized U.S. citizens," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 89(1), pages 37-61, July.
    4. Amuedo-Dorantes, Catalina & Arenas-Arroyo, Esther & Wang, Chunbei, 2020. "Is immigration enforcement shaping immigrant marriage patterns?," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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