The United States government is actively encouraging eligible Green Card holders to become citizens and register to vote in the upcoming presidential elections, scheduled for November 5, 2024. This initiative specifically targets Asian Americans and Indian Americans, a significant portion of Green Card holders. Shekar Narasimhan, Chairman and founder of the Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Victory Fund, emphasized the urgency of this call to action, stating, “If you have a green card and you have been here five years, get your citizenship. There’s time. Register to vote.” He stressed the importance of registering in advance, highlighting deadlines in various states and urging individuals to create WhatsApp groups to remind each other of the significance of voting. Narasimhan also attributed the heightened enthusiasm among Indian Americans and Asian Americans to Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential candidacy, acknowledging the potential for significant political impact. He highlighted the streamlined citizenship process under the Biden administration, stating that it takes just three weeks to obtain US citizenship. To qualify, Green Card holders must have resided in the US for a minimum of five years. “Being excited and translating that into votes are often two rather distinct things. It’s how you take that energy, persuade people that it’s worth their while, make sure that they are if they haven’t applied for citizenship, and they can get it in three weeks,” he explained. Narasimhan urged eligible individuals to take action within the next 100 days, encouraging them to obtain citizenship, register to vote, participate in the election, and mobilize their communities to do the same. The Department of Homeland Security estimated that in 2022, 12.9 million Green Card holders resided in the US, with 9.2 million eligible for US citizenship based on residency and other requirements. While Green Card issuance typically averages around one million annually, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in admissions in FY 2020 (707,362) and FY 2021 (740,002). However, admissions rebounded in FY 2022, reaching 1,018,349, with 46% being new arrivals and 54% adjusting from nonimmigrant status within the US. This surge in admissions further emphasizes the significance of the government’s initiative to encourage Green Card holders to become US citizens and exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections.
