Events In Germany, Afghanistan, and Iraq Culminate First Overseas Ceremonies
Washington, DC – Today, 28 active-duty service members took the Oath of
Allegiance and became the newest U.S. citizens during a special overseas military
naturalization ceremony on the Vogelweh Airbase in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The
Vogelweh ceremony culminates the first overseas military naturalization ceremonies
conducted by the United States Federal Government.
Joining the service members and their families to celebrate the swearing in was
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Eduardo Aguirre. Earlier
in the week, Director Aguirre naturalized 17 service members on the Bagram Air
Force Base in Afghanistan and 34 service members on Camp Victory South in Iraq.
“Today, we welcomed as new citizens men and women who had pledged to protect
America’s freedom,” said Director Aguirre. “Thousands of immigrant
troops are making extraordinary sacrifices for America. There is no more fitting
way for a grateful nation to demonstrate its appreciation than through granting
qualified service members the privilege of U.S. citizenship as quickly as possible,
to carry out their dream of becoming Americans.”
Last November, President Bush signed the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2004. The Act amended portions of the Immigration and Nationality
Act to allow for overseas military naturalization ceremonies. Before October 1,
2004, military service members could only naturalize while physically within the
United States.
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