News Release
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Contact: Amy Glowacki, 978-726-5986
Contact: Paula Grenier, 617-565-9410
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and the National Park Service will welcome 176 new citizens during a special naturalization ceremony Thursday at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site in celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson will preside and the clerk of the court will administer the Oath of Allegiance. Springfield Technical Community College Zahi Haddad will deliver congratulatory remarks.
Welcoming remarks will be offered by Springfield Armory National Historic Site Superintendent Kelly Fellner, Springfield Technical Community College President John B. Cook and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.
The 176 citizenship candidates come from the following 55 countries: Afghanistan, Belarus, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Burundi, Canada, China, Colombia, Congo (Kinshasa), Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, India, Iraq, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Syria, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Vietnam.
On Sept. 17, the nation observes Constitution Day and Citizenship Day as part of Constitution Week (Sept. 17 to 23). The commemoration honors both the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day”. Citizenship Day began in 1952 based on a law signed by President Harry Truman, and in 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed the first Constitution Week.
Each year, USCIS celebrates Constitution Day and Citizenship Day – and Constitution Week – by celebrating the connection between the Constitution and citizenship, reflecting on what it means to be a citizen of the United States, and holding special naturalization ceremonies across the country. This ceremony is one of many that will take place as part of USCIS’ celebration of Constitution Week.
USCIS often participates in naturalization ceremonies at museums, schools, libraries and other notable locations to celebrate the conclusion of an immigrant’s journey to citizenship and honor the commitment they have shown along the way. Special venues not only make these events meaningful for those who have voluntarily chosen to participate in American democracy and dedicated themselves to the country’s future, but they also reflect the strength and spirit of the United States.
USCIS encourages new citizens and guests to share their naturalization ceremony experiences and photos through social media, using the hashtag #NewUSCitizen – and in honor of Citizenship Day and Constitution Week – #CitizenshipDay and #ConstitutionWeek. NPS encourages use of the hashtags #FindYourPark and #MyParkStory.
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WHEN: |
Thursday, Sept. 14, 11 a.m. |
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WHERE: |
Springfield Armory National Historic Site ** The naturalization ceremony will be held on the lawn in front of the Commandant’s House. The Springfield Armory began as an arsenal under the authority of Gen. George Washington early in the Revolutionary War. It was the first national armory and began manufacturing muskets in 1794. |
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CONTACTS: |
Paula Grenier, USCIS public affairs officer, e-mail us, or 617-543-5339 Amy Glowacki, Springfield Armory National Historic Site, program manager for Interpretation and Education: e-mail us, or 978-726-5986 |
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NOTES: |
Media attending the ceremony are requested to RSVP to both USCIS and NPS email addresses above. Media may come early to speak with the candidates but should plan to be in place by 10:50 a.m. The new citizens’ naturalization certificates contain personally identifiable information. We request that media outlets not publish/share photos of new citizens holding their certificates unless that information is blurred. |
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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ABOUT THE PARK: Springfield Armory National Historic Site is the location of the nation’s first armory (1794 – 1968) and was established by George Washington. The site includes historic grounds, buildings, and the world’s largest historic American military firearms collection. For updates and further information call (413) 734-8551, check the website at www.nps.gov/spar or go to www.facebook.com/sparnhs.
Last updated: September 16, 2023