News Release

Big South Fork NRRA to Welcome New United States Citizens during 2023 National Park Week

New US citizens taking oath

NPS

News Release Date: April 9, 2023

Contact: Christopher Derman, [phone]

The National Park Service and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service will form a partnership conducting an official naturalization ceremony granting 65 people their citizenship on Thursday, April 27, 2023. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this impactful and stirring ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 AM (ET) at Bandy Creek Visitor Center with the Honorable Suzanne Bauknight presiding and colors presented by the Alvin C. York Institute.

“National Park Week is a celebration of America's national heritage. And national parks preserve the stories, and natural and cultural wonders of this great nation,” said Superintendent Niki Stephanie Nicholas. “Welcoming new citizens in such a special place is suitable to their inspirational journeys, qualities, and characters.”

Naturalization is the official process by which United States citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after they have fulfilled the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act. Naturalization ceremonies are a formal court proceeding in which foreign citizens or nationals are sworn in as United States citizens and receive their Certificate of Naturalization.