World | USA 1M New Citizens Break Century Record Fee increase helps immigration service clear huge backlog By Rob Quinn Posted Nov 7, 2008 3:49 AM CST Copied An Immigration and Naturalization service is held at Comerica Park to swear in 100 individuals, including Detroit Tigers' Placido Polanco, as citizens, last summer in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) Over a million new American citizens took the oath of allegiance last year—the highest number since the government began keeping records a century ago, reports CNN. The number of people going through the naturalization process has been steadily climbing for decades. The clearing of a major 2007 backlog—along with a push by Hispanic media for citizenship for eligible residents—helped boost the numbers. Read These Next GoFundMe for ICE agent in Minneapolis shooting gets a big donor. Mike Lindell doesn't have to pay in 'prove me wrong' case. Six federal prosecutors quit in Minnesota. Dilbert creator Scott Adams has died. Report an error