News Release

Homestead National Historical Park Welcomes 25 New Citizens

Date: September 4, 2025
Contact: Dominic Dongilli

BEATRICE, Neb. – The National Park Service and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will welcome 25 United States citizenship candidates during a naturalization ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Homestead National Historical Park’s Education Center in honor of Constitution Day.

The 25 citizenship candidates represent 11 countries including: Burma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cuba, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Iraq, Liberia, Mexico, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Faheem Rashidi, pharmacist and Lincoln business owner, will give the keynote address. Representatives of Nebraska’s congressional delegation will also welcome the new citizens and guests with prepared remarks. The Honorable Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., Chief United States District Judge, District Court of Nebraska, will administer the Oath of Allegiance and provide congratulatory remarks. Tri-County School choirs will sing the United States national anthem.

Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is conferred upon foreign citizens or nationals after fulfilling a set of requirements established by Congress. After naturalization, foreign-born citizens enjoy nearly all the same benefits, rights, and responsibilities that the U.S. Constitution gives to native-born U.S. citizens, including the right to vote.

“The Homestead Act had a tremendous impact upon immigration in the United States. We’re honored to host naturalization ceremonies at the park to reflect upon this part of our nation’s Homestead story,” stated Homestead National Historical Park Acting Superintendent Amy Genke.

New citizens and guests can share their naturalization ceremony experiences and photos through social media, using the hashtag #NewUSCitizen.

Remember, Homestead National Historical Park has an exciting schedule of events planned for 2025. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Instagram (@HomesteadNPS), “X” (@HomesteadNHP), and Facebook (Homestead National Historical Park).
 

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About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 430+ 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, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.