TENNESSEE - A new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data shows Tennessee ranks among the highest states in the nation for naturalization risk, meaning many foreign-born residents face barriers that may prevent or delay the process of becoming U.S. citizens.
According to the study by The Mendoza Law Firm, Tennessee ranked 7th out of all 50 states with a Naturalization Risk Score of 83.8 out of 100. The score was based largely on two factors: the percentage of foreign-born residents who are not U.S. citizens and the percentage of foreign-born residents with limited English proficiency.
The report found that Tennessee has an average annual foreign-born population of 431,545 residents, based on American Community Survey data from 2020 through 2024. Of that group, an average of 262,532 residents were non-citizens, giving the state a non-citizen rate of 60.84%.
That figure is notably higher than the national average of 47.88%, meaning more than three out of every five foreign-born residents in Tennessee have not completed the naturalization process.
Language access was another major factor in the ranking. The analysis found that 246,236 foreign-born residents in Tennessee speak English less than “very well,” resulting in a limited English proficiency rate of 57.06%.
The study notes that Tennessee’s immigrant population has grown over the past two decades, with many residents drawn to job opportunities in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, construction and service-related fields. Growth has been especially visible in and around Nashville, Memphis and expanding suburban communities.
However, the report suggests that economic opportunity does not always translate into citizenship. Researchers pointed to challenges such as limited access to English-language programs, immigration legal services and other resources that can help eligible residents move through the naturalization process.
Among the 10 states with the highest naturalization risk scores, Tennessee ranked behind New Mexico, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Kentucky, Alabama and Nebraska followed Tennessee in the top 10.
Tennessee also ranked higher than most of its bordering states. The report found that Tennessee outscored six of its eight neighbors, with only Arkansas and Mississippi ranking higher nationally. Kentucky and Alabama were close behind Tennessee, while North Carolina, Georgia, Missouri and Virginia had lower risk scores.
The state’s 83.8 score was also well above the national average Naturalization Risk Score of 71.8, placing Tennessee 11.9 points above the U.S. average.
Researchers said Tennessee’s high ranking was driven primarily by its non-citizen rate. At 60.84%, the state’s share of foreign-born residents who are not citizens was listed as one of the highest in the country.
The study compared Tennessee with the lowest-scoring states as well. Vermont ranked last with a Naturalization Risk Score of 47.0. Vermont’s non-citizen rate was 35.95%, nearly 25 percentage points lower than Tennessee’s rate. Vermont’s limited English proficiency rate was also much lower at 26.25%.
The report’s methodology used U.S. Census Bureau data accessed through the Missouri Census Data Center. Researchers reviewed average annual estimates from 2020 to 2024 for all 50 states. The final score was weighted 70% toward the non-citizen rate and 30% toward limited English proficiency.
While the study does not measure whether individual residents are eligible for citizenship, it does highlight statewide patterns that may point to broader barriers. Those barriers can include language access, legal costs, lack of documentation, difficulty navigating the federal immigration system, or limited access to trusted assistance.
The findings suggest that Tennessee continues to face significant challenges in helping foreign-born residents move from long-term residency to citizenship. For communities across the state, the issue connects not only to immigration, but also to workforce stability, civic participation and access to public resources.
