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.

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.