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:

YearNaturalized Caribbean Immigrants2022132,6992021120,601202080,8792019101,312201895,298201792,5402016105,204201592,807201483,3762013120,9952012109,762201179,820201062,535200984,9172008131,935200768,577200690,979200564,672200454,811200346,154200258,943

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:

YearNaturalized Cuban Immigrants202246,913202147,919202031,369201936,246201832,089201725,961201632,101201525,770201424,0922013120,995201231,244201121,071201014,050200924,891200839,871200715,394200621,481200511,227200411,23620037,727200210,889

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.

YearNaturalized Dominican Immigrants202234,525202128,103202018,675201923,101201822,970201729,734201631,320201526,665201423,775201339,590201233,351201120,508201015,451200920,778200835,251200720,645200622,165200520,831200415,464200312,627200215,591

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.

YearNaturalized Jamaican Immigrants202222,963202120,716202013,465201918,010201817,213201715,087201616,772201516,566201413,547201316,442201215,531201114,591201012,070200915,098200821,324200712,314200618,953200513,674200412,271200311,232200213,973

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.  

YearNaturalized Haitian Immigrants202218,001202114,882202010,865201914,308201814,389201712,794201615,276201514,053201413,676201323,480201219,114201114,191201012,291200913,290200821,229200710,557200615,97920059,74020048,21520037,26320029,280

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.

News Americas, New York, NY, October 28, 2024: Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols is set to visit Curaçao from today, October 28th to Wednesday Oct. 30, 2024, to strengthen ties and promote cooperative efforts with the Dutch Caribbean.

During his visit, Nichols will engage with Curaçaoan leaders, including Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas and Governor Lucille George-Wout, as well as other high-ranking officials to reinforce U.S. commitment to shared goals in sustainable economic growth, regional security, and expanded educational opportunities.

In this aerial view, people walk on the floating Queen Emma Bridge connecting the two neighborhoods of Willemstad (Punda and Otrobanda) across Sint Anna Bay, Curacao, in the Dutch Caribbean. (Photo by FEDERICO PARRA/AFP via Getty Images)

In addition to government meetings, Assistant Secretary Nichols plans to connect with civil society representatives, political and business leaders, and U.S. partner organizations operating in the region. Notably, he will announce increased U.S. assistance aimed at enhancing English-language education and teacher training in the Dutch Caribbean, with a focus on expanding inclusive higher-education access at all levels of society.

This visit underscores the U.S. commitment to supporting the Dutch Caribbean island’s development goals while fostering stronger partnerships in education, security, and economic stability in the region.

The visit comes on the heels of a recent Dutch Parliament debate on the Kingdom Relations budget where several members voiced strong concerns over persistent corruption in the Dutch Caribbean islands, urging tougher enforcement and more stringent measures against officials implicated in fraud.

Aukje de Vries of the VVD highlighted good governance as a core principle of her party, expressing worry over the instability of island administrations and recurrent corruption cases. De Vries cited the recent arrest of Aruban Minister Glenbert Croes and the previous convictions of former Curaçao Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte and Sint Maarten MP Theo Heyliger.

“The VVD wants good governance for the islanders, a government that serves its people rather than itself,” De Vries stated, calling for a stronger stance on criminal behavior and greater investment in the region’s law enforcement resources.

Peter van Haasen of the PVV warned that corruption poses a severe threat to the rule of law and public trust in government. He condemned the recurring involvement of officials in fraud and bribery cases. “Corruption should never be dismissed as part of Caribbean culture. That is totally unacceptable,” Van Haasen stressed, advocating for firm action against corrupt officials to safeguard justice and social stability on the islands.

Raoul White from GroenLinks-PvdA echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for accountability. White noted that many citizens feel disillusioned, seeing political and financial elites escape consequences while others face penalties. “People feel that elites are protected while the small ones are punished. This severely damages trust in the government,” White argued, urging for concrete reforms to promote equality within the Kingdom.

The Parliament collectively urged the Dutch government to support Caribbean law enforcement efforts with financial and technical resources, underscoring that a decisive approach to corruption is essential for restoring public trust and ensuring governmental integrity across the islands.