Date: March 31, 2017
Contact: Christopher Derman, (423) 569-9778
Contact: Christy Strand, (423) 569-9778
The National Park Service and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service will partner to hold a naturalization ceremony for new United States citizens on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at Bandy Creek Visitor Center. The public is invited to witness this stirring ceremony.
“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 Nicholas. “Welcoming new citizens in such a special place is suitable to their inspirational journeys, qualities, and character.”
Senior Judge Thomas W. Phillips will preside. Students from Oneida Elementary School will be leading the Pledge of Allegiance with Natalie Cross, from Oneida singing the National Anthem. The United States Marine Corps will provide the presentation of colors.
Naturalization is the process by which US citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills 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 US citizens and receive their Certificate of Naturalization.
