Ceremonies Highlight the American Dream in Action
Washington, DC – More than 28,000 men, women and children from throughout the United States will raise their right hands and become America’s newest citizens during special Citizenship Day ceremonies. Held at locations across the United States (see below), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will commemorate Citizenship Day and kick-off the celebration of Constitution Week in communities across the United States.
“Each year, the President issues a proclamation asking Americans, both native born and naturalized, to pause on September 17th and rededicate ourselves to the our country and to the principles upon which it was founded,” said USCIS Director Eduardo Aguirre. “I can think of no more fitting way to do that than during a naturalization ceremony where we’ll weave our newest citizens into the American tapestry.”
Each year, USCIS welcomes more than 450,000 citizens during naturalization ceremonies across the United States. That number includes more than 8,000 service members who have naturalized thorough an expedited process stemming from their involvement in the war on terrorism.
On March 1, 2003, USCIS became one of three legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service components to join the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. USCIS is charged with fundamentally transforming and improving the delivery of immigration and citizenship services, while enhancing our nation's security.
Oath of Allegiance
“I hearby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation of purpose of evasion; so help me God.”
Naturalization Ceremony Locations (Does not include all ceremonies. * indicates a ceremony to be attended by Director Eduardo Aguirre.) See the Advisories alerting the media to these events.
September 14, 2004
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, Buffalo, New York
www.uscis.gov
September 15, 2004
United States District Court, Sacramento, California
September 16, 2004
L.A. Convention Center, Los Angeles, California
September 17, 2004
*Ellis Island, New York City, New York
United States District Court, Phoenix, Arizona
Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona
Crest Theater, Sacramento, California
Scottish Rite Temple, San Diego, California
Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida
Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
Namapa Civic Center, Boise, Idaho
Harold Washington Library, Chicago, Illinois
Maryland State House, Annapolis, Maryland
City Council Chambers, Flint, Michigan
United States District Court, Las Vegas, Nevada
United States District Court, Reno, Nevada
The Hermitage, Nashville, Tennessee
Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas
Slavic Evangelical Church, Vancouver, Washington
September 20, 2004
Fresno Convention Center, Fresno, California
September 25, 2004
Mount Rushmore, Grand Rapids, South Dakota
– USCIS –
On March 1, 2003, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) became one of three former INS components to join the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. USCIS is charged with fundamentally transforming and improving the delivery of immigration and citizenship services, while enhancing the integrity of our nation's security.
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