Out of the estimated 9 million immigrants currently eligible for U.S. citizenship, 2.5 million are of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) descent. In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, a new digital campaign is calling on all eligible Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants to naturalize.
National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) is the immigration advocacy organization behind the campaign. One aspect of NPNA’s mission is to make the naturalization process more accessible for all immigrant communities in the U.S.. NPNA launched the “Naturalize #2Millionby2022” campaign in partnership with another nonprofit organization, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote). The naturalization campaign is designed to reach AAPI communities directly and empower eligible green card holders to take the final step in their immigration journey.
Raising awareness amongst AAPI immigrants about the benefits of U.S. citizenship is at the forefront of the #2Millionby2022 campaign. The ability to work in government positions, travel freely, and access public assistance programs may entice some to naturalize. The right to vote and make one’s voice heard is another benefit synonymous with U.S. citizenship.
As one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the U.S., AAPI individuals have the potential to shape elections and play a pivotal role in the country’s political discourse. The U.S. Asian population nearly doubled between 2000 and 2019, with predictions that it will surpass 46 million by 2060. In the last three presidential election cycles, AAPI voter turnout increased significantly, with approximately 620,000 new AAPI voter registrations. As populations continue to grow, naturalization can be used as a powerful tool to ensure political and social representation for AAPI communities. Individuals can share the “Naturalize #2Millionby2022” campaign with their online and in-person communities by visiting this link.