As the US turns 250, new citizens feel pride and unease: ‘It’s survival’

New US Citizens Complete Naturalization as Country Prepares for 250th Anniversary

In June, Yesica McKeone completed the naturalization process and became a US citizen. During the ceremony, she joined thousands of others in reciting the oath of allegiance. McKeone, 32, had arrived in California from Michoacán, Mexico, at age two and later obtained permanent residency. She now lives in Solvang on California’s central coast with her two children.

McKeone described the end of a period of legal uncertainty. She also noted recent federal immigration enforcement actions in her area. As a new citizen, she holds the same legal rights as other citizens while observing ongoing policy developments on immigration and naturalization.

The United States will mark its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. Several historical sites, including Mount Vernon, are scheduled to host naturalization ceremonies as part of the America 250 commemoration. Officials have described these events as consistent with the country’s history of immigration and citizenship.

The first federal naturalization statute, enacted in 1790, restricted citizenship to free white persons. In later decades, Congress established national-origins quotas in the 1920s that limited immigration from many regions. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 replaced those quotas with a system based primarily on family ties and employment skills.

Irene Bloemraad, a professor of political science and sociology at the University of British Columbia, stated that the United States maintains a comparatively accessible naturalization process relative to countries such as Qatar and Kuwait. Applicants must meet residency, language, and civics requirements before taking the oath.

Rogers M. Smith, emeritus professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania, noted that current debates over immigration and citizenship echo earlier periods, including the 1920s. He observed that many recent policy adjustments have occurred through executive action rather than legislation.

Since October 2025, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services has administered an updated civics test. The Department of Homeland Security has also proposed increases in naturalization filing fees. Under the proposal, the online fee would rise to $1,280 and the paper filing fee to $1,330, with the elimination of most fee waivers.

USCIS operates as a fee-funded agency and does not receive annual congressional appropriations for its adjudication services. Agency officials have stated that fee adjustments are intended to cover operational costs and maintain processing capacity. The civics test revision was issued pursuant to an executive order directing stronger emphasis on assimilation and knowledge of US history and government. Both the fee proposal and test changes remain subject to administrative review and are not yet final.

Community organizations that assist with naturalization applications report that some eligible permanent residents have delayed filing. Cited reasons include application costs, processing times, and concerns about enforcement activity affecting noncitizens. Other permanent residents have completed the process. Kwan “Dawn” Tang, 32, who was born in Hong Kong, received naturalization after approximately six months of processing. Tang had previously held student and permanent-resident status and cited the ability to vote and avoid additional airport screening as factors in his decision.

Data from USCIS show that naturalization applications continued to be filed and approved in 2025 and 2026, though volumes fluctuate with policy announcements and economic conditions. Historical records indicate that naturalization rates have varied across administrations in response to legislative and regulatory changes.

On July 4, some new citizens plan public observances. Tang stated he intends to host a gathering that includes a trivia activity based on the civics test questions. McKeone indicated she will mark the date privately with family.

The naturalization ceremony requires applicants to demonstrate continuous residence, good moral character, and basic English proficiency, along with passage of the civics examination. Successful applicants receive the same constitutional protections and obligations as citizens by birth, subject to limited exceptions such as eligibility for the presidency.