U.S. Citizenship 

And Immigration 

Services 

CIS FACT SHEET 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: CIS OPA 

September 17, 2003 202-514-2648 

Citizenship Day 

Citizenship Day is celebrated on September 17th, the day the U.S. 

Constitution was signed in 1787. Citizenship Day provides an opportunity to 

honor those people who have become U.S. citizens. In addition, it is an important 

reminder of the rights and responsibilities associated with U.S. citizenship. 

Citizenship Day has been celebrated in some form since 1940, when 

Congress designated the third Sunday in May as “I Am an American Day.” In 

1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill formalizing the celebration of 

Citizenship Day on September 17th. The week beginning September 17th is 

Constitution Week, when we reflect on the enduring importance of this great 

document. 

Each year the President signs a proclamation declaring September 17th as 

Citizenship Day and the start of Constitution Week and calling upon all U.S. 

citizens, by birth or naturalization, to rededicate themselves to their country and 

the principles upon which it was founded. 

CELEBRATING A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS 

Citizenship, whether by birth or naturalization, is the cornerstone of this 

nation’s values and ideals. Each year, hundreds of thousands of immigrants 

complete the naturalization application process and take part in naturalization 

ceremonies across the country. These naturalization ceremonies may be 

conducted by a Federal court or by a local Citizenship and Immigration Services 

office, and may involve a handful of people at a local courthouse or several 

thousand at a sports arena. Regardless of a ceremony’s size or venue, the 

applicants for naturalization share a common experience as they take the Oath of 

Allegiance, declaring their fidelity and allegiance to the United States, its 

Constitution and laws. 

Citizenship Statistics 

2001-2003: Approximately 1.4 million individuals have been naturalized during 

the new millennium. From October 2002 to April 2003, 247,700 individuals 

became U.S. citizens. 

1991-2000: This period witnessed the largest number of naturalizations of any 

decade in our nation’s history, approximately 5.6 million individuals. In 1996, 

naturalizations peaked at more than one million, for a total of 1,044,689. The late 

1990s also marked another shift in naturalization demographics, with Mexico 

yielding the most naturalized citizens, followed by Vietnam and the Philippines. 
1981-1990: Almost 2.3 million people were naturalized during the 1980s. Nearly 

half that number hailed from Asia. Together, Canada and Mexico accounted for 

more than one quarter of the remaining new citizens. 

1971-1980: The U.S. welcomed approximately 1.5 million new citizens during 

the 1970s. The Philippines, Cuba, and China were the leading countries of origin. 

This trend represented a shift from the 1960s, when the largest number of new 

citizens came from Europe. Some 66,000 members of the U.S. military were 

naturalized during this decade. 

OFFICE OF CITIZENSHIP 

Mission 

The CIS Office of Citizenship was created by the Homeland Security Act 

of 2002. The legislated mandate for this Office is to promote instruction and 

training on citizenship responsibilities for immigrants interested in becoming 

citizens, including the development of educational materials. In carrying out this 

mission, the Office will promote initiatives and activities to: 

• Revive and emphasize the common civic identity and shared values 

that are essential to citizenship 

• Raise awareness about the benefits and responsibilities associated with 

U.S. citizenship 

• Enhance educational opportunities in English, Civics, and History for 

legal immigrants of all ages to assist their integration 

Primary Roles and Responsibilities 

The Office has two components, program development and outreach, 

and includes both Headquarters and field locations. 

Program Development will focus on developing mission-related 

initiatives, which will be executed in collaboration with internal and external

partners. Specifically, Program Development will: 

• Partner with other agencies and entities to design educational materials 

and programs focusing on History, Civics, and English 

• Develop resources and enhance overall educational opportunities to 

support legal immigrants’ integration into American civic culture 

• Identify opportunities to enhance the meaning and stature of CIS 

citizenship-related ceremonies and events 

• Provide input regarding CIS citizenship and naturalization policies 

Outreach will focus on creating mechanisms to support mission-related 

program delivery and community outreach in a variety of ways. Specifically, Outreach will: 

• Promote national and local dialogue about a common civic identity by 

coordinating forums, community meetings, and other special events 
• Partner with information delivery sources reaching immigrant 

communities to promote programs and initiatives related to citizenship 

and immigration services 

• Engage a strong network of key stakeholders, including federal, state, 

and local agencies as well as community-based and civic education 

organizations in promoting programs and initiatives related to 

citizenship and immigration services, soliciting feedback from 

immigrant communities, and identifying appropriate delivery channels 

For more information, please visit 

www.immigration.gov/graphics/citizenship/index.htm 

-USCISOn March 1, 2003, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) became one of three legacy INS 

components to join the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. U.S. CIS is charged with fundamentally 

transforming and improving the delivery of immigration and citizenship services, while enhancing the 

integrity of our nation's security.