USCIS Holds Children's Ceremonies at Verizon Center and Mount Vernon
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) helped 53 children representing 29 countries celebrate their U.S. citizenship during two special children's citizenship ceremonies this week. The first ceremony was held yesterday at George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens while the second was held today at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
"The citizenship we celebrate today is a gift to you from your parents," said USCIS Washington District Director Sarah Taylor. "So, please make sure and thank them for it. Ask them about their story and yours so you can fully appreciate where you came from and where you have come to."
At the Verizon Center, Taylor administered a special children's Oath of Allegiance and USCIS Chief of the Office of Citizenship Rebecca Carson led the Pledge of Allegiance. Ringmaster Alex Ramon served as the Master of Ceremonies and gave the children a behind the scenes look at the circus. The 24 children, ages 4 to 13, hail from the following countries: Belgium, Bolivia, China, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Jordan, Nepal, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Romania and Vietnam.
During yesterday's Mount Vernon ceremony, Taylor administered a special children's Oath of Allegiance and presented the children with their certificates of citizenship. Special period actors playing roles of people in George Washington's life, including 'Mrs. Martha Washington" and Dr. Craik, "President Washington's close friend, provided a special performance for those in attendance. The 29 children, ages 4 to 13, hail from the following countries: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Canada, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Vietnam.
USCIS periodically holds special ceremonies for children to recognize and celebrate their citizenship, which is generally derived through their naturalized parents or adoption. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov.
If media would like to request photos from either of these events, please contact Luz Figuereo Irazabal, (202) 384-5867, luz.irazabal@dhs.gov.
Related Files
Share This Page
