News Release

USCIS to Present Citizenship Certificates to 50 Young People at Channel Islands National Park During an Independence Day Celebration

Date: June 26, 2017
Contact: Yvonne Menard, 805-658-5725

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will celebrate citizenship for 50 local kids and two adults, as they receive their citizenship certificates at Channel Islands National Park during two special Independence Day celebrations on June 30, 2017. These ceremonies are part of USCIS’ annual Independence Day celebration where more than 65 Independence Day-themed ceremonies will take place across the country, including many at National Park Sites.

Channel Islands National Park Superintendent, Russell Galipeau, will provide introductory remarks to the youth and Field Office Director, Joseph Hackbarth, will deliver the keynote address and administer the Oath of Allegiance. Families and guests will also enjoy a welcome message from a NPS Ranger scuba diver from 14 miles off the coast of California.
 
This ceremony is in recognition of children and youth who obtained citizenship through their parents. Some were adopted by U.S. citizen parents; others derived citizenship when their immigrant parents became naturalized citizens.
 
The 52 candidates hail from 19 different countries, including: Philippines, Mexico, South Korea, Israel, Belarus, Pakistan, Honduras, India, Uganda, Bangladesh, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Russia, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Colombia and China. 
        
We invite new citizens and their families and friends to share their experiences and photos from the ceremonies on social media using the hashtags #newUScitizen and #July4th.

The NPS has partnered with USCIS on promoting awareness and understanding of citizenship since 2006. Since the launch of the partnership, the NPS has hosted naturalization ceremonies for thousands of new Americans at sites across the country including on the rim of the Grand Canyon, on the Civil War battlefield at Vicksburg National Military Park, the base of Mount Rushmore, Ellis Island, and at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. 

To view a list of 2017 Independence Day naturalization ceremonies, visit uscis.gov/news

To view the ceremony live, visit https://www.facebook.com/channelislandsnps/ or http://explore.org/live-cams/player/channel-islands-national-park-live-adventures
 

Date & Time:	June 30, 2017, at 11:00 a.m & 2:00 p.m.  NOTE: Please arrive 15 minutes before the ceremony begins to allow yourself enough time to check-in with the Public Affairs Officer.
Location:	The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park 1901 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, CA 93001
Contacts:	Marilu Cabrera, USCIS Public Affairs Officer Phone: [phone]; Email: e-mail us   Yvonne Menard, Chief of Interpretation & Public Information Officer Channel Islands National Park Phone: [phone]; Email: e-mail us