Nearly 2 Million Eligible Caribbean American Voters Added Over Two Decades

By Felicia J. Persaud

A NAN FIRST

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Nov. 1, 2024: Although often overlooked as part of the broader “Black” voting bloc, Caribbean immigrants are an increasingly significant portion of the growing pool of foreign-born eligible voters in the United States.

A News Americas analysis of the latest naturalization data from the Department of Homeland Security reveals that between 2002 and 2022, 1,838,516 Caribbean immigrants became U.S. citizens, joining the ranks of eligible voters. Naturalizations peaked in 2022, with a record 132,699 new Caribbean Americans gaining U.S. citizenship, according to DHS data.

U.S. Army soldiers Spc. Javante Campbell, 21, from Jamaica (R) and Spc. Elvin Almonte, 35, from the Dominican Republic embrace after becoming American citizens at a naturalization ceremony in July 2021. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Significant milestones over the years reflect this increase:

2008 Surge: In 2008, the number of naturalized Caribbean immigrants jumped to 131,935, likely in response to heightened interest in the landmark presidential election.

2012-2016: During the years 2012 to 2016, the naturalized Caribbean voting population remained strong, with 109,762 eligible voters in 2012 and an increase to 105,204 by 2016.

2020-2022: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, naturalizations continued to rise, reaching 80,879 in 2020 and then sharply increasing to 132,699 by 2022, reflecting renewed motivations for U.S. citizenship within the Caribbean community.

The full data from 2002 to 2022 were as follows:

Year | Naturalized Caribbean Immigrants
2022 | 132,699
2021 | 120,601
2020 | 80,879
2019 | 101,312
2018 | 95,298
2017 | 92,540
2016 | 105,204
2015 | 92,807
2014 | 83,376
2013 | 120,995
2012 | 109,762
2011 | 79,820
2010 | 62,535
2009 | 84,917
2008 | 131,935
2007 | 68,577
2006 | 90,979
2005 | 64,672
2004 | 54,811
2003 | 46,154
2002 | 58,943

TOP NATIONALITY FOR NATURALIZATION

Among Caribbean immigrants, nationals from four countries represent the largest shares of naturalized voters: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Haiti.

Cubans

Caribbean nationals from Cuba were the largest group to be naturalized in the 20-year period with almost 600,000 naturalizations at 586,476. The majority were naturalized in 2013 with a whopping 120,995 becoming US citizens. Here’s the full run down over the two decades:

Year | Naturalized Cuban Immigrants
2022 | 46,913
2021 | 47,919
2020 | 31,369
2019 | 36,246
2018 | 32,089
2017 | 25,961
2016 | 32,101
2015 | 25,770
2014 | 24,092
2013 | 120,995
2012 | 31,244
2011 | 21,071
2010 | 14,050
2009 | 24,891
2008 | 39,871
2007 | 15,394
2006 | 21,481
2005 | 11,227
2004 | 11,236
2003 | 7,727
2002 | 10,889

Dominicans

They were followed by Dominicans who made up the second largest group of eligible Caribbean voters naturalized in the two decades, reaching almost half a million at 490,064.

In 2022, 34,525 Dominicans became U.S. citizens, the highest number since 2013.

Year | Naturalized Dominican Immigrants
2022 | 34,525
2021 | 28,103
2020 | 18,675
2019 | 23,101
2018 | 22,970
2017 | 29,734
2016 | 31,320
2015 | 26,665
2014 | 23,775
2013 | 39,590
2012 | 33,351
2011 | 20,508
2010 | 15,451
2009 | 20,778
2008 | 35,251
2007 | 20,645
2006 | 22,165
2005 | 20,831
2004 | 15,464
2003 | 12,627
2002 | 15,591

Jamaicans

Jamaican nationals represented the third largest group among Caribbean naturalized voters over the 20-year period, reaching over 300,000 at 322,318. Some 22,963 Jamaicans became U.S. citizens in 2022 alone, the highest number in the two-decade period.

Year | Naturalized Jamaican Immigrants
2022 | 22,963
2021 | 20,716
2020 | 13,465
2019 | 18,010
2018 | 17,213
2017 | 15,087
2016 | 16,772
2015 | 16,566
2014 | 13,547
2013 | 16,442
2012 | 15,531
2011 | 14,591
2010 | 12,070
2009 | 15,098
2008 | 21,324
2007 | 12,314
2006 | 18,953
2005 | 13,674
2004 | 12,271
2003 | 11,232
2002 | 13,973

Haitians

Haitians formed the fourth-largest group. Between 2002 and 2022, 283,393. Haitians were naturalized.

Only 18,001 Haitian nationals naturalized in 2022, a drop from 2008 and 2013.

Year | Naturalized Haitian Immigrants
2022 | 18,001
2021 | 14,882
2020 | 10,865
2019 | 14,308
2018 | 14,389
2017 | 12,794
2016 | 15,276
2015 | 14,053
2014 | 13,676
2013 | 23,480
2012 | 19,114
2011 | 14,191
2010 | 12,291
2009 | 13,290
2008 | 21,229
2007 | 10,557
2006 | 15,979
2005 | 9,740
2004 | 8,215
2003 | 7,263
2002 | 9,280

As the count-down is on to Nov. 5th, Caribbean Americans are well-positioned to impact key elections in 2024 and beyond, especially in an election where for the first time, a candidate with roots to the Caribbean is in the Presidential race and could become the US’ next President and first with heritage in that region.