USCIS Welcomes 50 New Citizens at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture

BALTIMORE— Lauren Kielsmeier, Acting Deputy Director and Chief of Staff, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), today welcomed 50 new citizens at a special naturalization ceremony at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture. The museum’s collection of African-American heritage exhibits – the largest on the East Coast – served as a backdrop for the event, which commemorated Black History Month.

“Today we highlight the important contributions countless African Americans have made to strengthen our nation,” said Kielsmeier, who delivered the keynote address.  “We are reminded that American citizenship gives us all equal rights and requires that we embrace the responsibilities that go with it.”

The new citizens originate from the following countries: Cameroon; China; Columbia; Egypt; El Salvador; Ethiopia; France; Ghana; Guatemala; Guyana; India; Indonesia; Iran; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; Liberia; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Pakistan; Russia; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Spain; Sri Lanka; Dominican Republic; Tanzania; Thailand; Turkmenistan; and the United Kingdom. 

Greg Collett, USCIS Baltimore district director, administered the Oath of Allegiance and delivered congratulatory remarks to the new citizens. Baltimore’s field office director, William Donohue, delivered closing remarks.

To better understand the naturalization process and gain skills necessary to earn citizenship, please visit the Citizenship Resource Center.

To learn more about USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog, The Beacon.