After 10 years as provisional residents, immigrants could become lawful permanent residents by following the same guidelines as immigrants who enter the country legally.

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In 2011 alone, USCIS held more than 6, 000 naturalization ceremonies for 692, 000 lawful permanent residents who became U.S. citizens, including more than 10, 000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

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Immigrants in detention include lawful permanent residents with deep family and community ties, undocumented immigrants who have lived in the United States for decades as part of mixed status families, survivors of torture, asylum seekers, pregnant women, military veterans, and the infirm.

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