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Contact: Gary Bremen , 305-230-1144 x007
HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA –On February 17 and 18, 2015, 300 individuals will become U.S. citizens at Biscayne National Park…a place that now belongs to them as it does to all Americans. The ceremonies, open to the public, take place at 10:00 am on both Tuesday, February 17 and Wednesday, February 18 at the park's Dante Fascell Visitor Center, located 9 miles east of Homestead at 9700 SW 328 Street. The National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) established a formal partnership several years ago to host naturalization ceremonies in the nation's most treasured places, its national parks. Biscayne National Park has hosted a number of similar ceremonies over the past few years, but these two days mark the largest numbers of new citizens the park has ever welcomed. "National parks speak to who we are as a people and as a nation," said Superintendent Brian Carlstrom. "Biscayne National Park is an ideal setting for such an important event." The ceremonies are made possible by a grant from the South Florida National Parks Trust. On Tuesday, February 17, USCIS will conduct a citizenship ceremony primarily for children. On Wednesday, February 18, USCIS will conduct a naturalization ceremony for permanent U.S. residents over 18 years of age. The formal citizenship and naturalization ceremonies will include live singing of the national anthem, inspirational speakers, and a video montage of immigrants throughout the history of the United States. Immediately following the ceremonies there will be ranger-led programs to highlight our national park. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the day by the water. Those wishing to attend the ceremony as spectators should plan to arrive early, as parking will be located at neighboring Homestead Bayfront Park with free shuttle transportation provided. For more information on the ceremony, contact Gary Bremen at 305-230-1144, x007, or visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/bisc. For regular updates from the park "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/biscaynenps and "follow" us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/biscaynenps. -NPS- About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 405 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov. |
Last updated: April 14, 2015