U.S. welcomes 25,000 new citizens at Presidents Day naturalisation ceremonies

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Tuesday says it is set to welcome over 25,000 new U.S. citizens during 162 naturalisation at the 2017 Presidents Day ceremonies across the country.

A statement by the Acting Director, USCIS, Lori Scialabba, to NEWSVERGE said that the ceremonies start today, February 14 through February 22.

According to Scialabba, “It fills me with pride to know that 25,000 immigrants will take the Oath of Allegiance and become U.S. citizens during the week that celebrates Presidents Day.

“These new U.S. citizens will be given rights, responsibilities and opportunities that will strengthen and shape the future of our great nation, just as generations of immigrants have done before them. By choosing to naturalize, they are confirming their commitment to our country and furthering our legacy as a nation of immigrants.”

At the event, Acting Deputy Director, Ms Tracy Renaud, is expected to administer the Oath of Allegiance to 50 candidates and deliver keynote remarks during a naturalization ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, Museum & Gardens in Mount Vernon, Virginia.

Other special ceremonies during the week include Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site in Buffalo, New York, on Feb. 21, and Washington Crossing Historic Park in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 21.

A complete list of 2017 Presidents Day-themed naturalization ceremonies is available in the News section of www.uscis.gov.

The US agency, USCIS, however, invites new citizens and their families and friends to share their experiences from the ceremonies through Twitter, using the hashtag #newUScitizen.