Taking the Oath: An Analysis of Naturalization in California and the Untied States Book

With the arrival of large numbers of immigrants over the past two decades, immigrant adaptation and integration into U.S. society have become crucial concerns for policymakers. This is especially true in California, which has the largest noncitizen population in the nation and a lower naturalization rate than every other state but Texas. The authors use numerous data sets to analyze naturalization behaviors of noncitizen immigrants in California and in specific counties of the state, comparing patterns and trends in California with those in the rest of the nation. They identify factors associated with higher rates of naturalization and explain why naturalization rates are lower in California. As part of this study, the authors surveyed county welfare officials to determine what the counties are doing to encourage immigrant welfare recipients to naturalize. The survey reveals many of the challenges involved in naturalization and helps explain why naturalization rates vary so much across counties.