The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will celebrate Independence Day by hosting over 195 naturalization ceremonies from June.28 to July.5, welcoming approximately 11,000 new citizens. These ceremonies highlight the government's dedication to embracing immigrants and emphasizing the advantages of US citizenship for eligible individuals.
In fiscal year 2023, USCIS facilitated the naturalization of 878,500 new US citizens.
As of the current fiscal year 2024, USCIS has facilitated the naturalization of 589,400 new citizens and has made substantial advancements in reducing the backlog of pending naturalization applications.
Every July 4, USCIS commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 by the Second Continental Congress, marking the birth of the United States of America. USCIS continues this tradition by organizing special Independence Day-themed naturalization ceremonies worldwide. These events honor and celebrate the dedication and contributions of the newest US citizens.
“At USCIS we are privileged to administer the Oath of Allegiance to thousands of new citizens during the Independence Day holiday,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “These new citizens add diversity and character to our great nation, and we are committed to helping all who are eligible to experience the freedoms and liberties we enjoy as U.S. citizens.”
This year's Independence Day activities will feature special naturalization ceremonies held nationwide, including in close proximity to the nation's capital, USCIS said in a press release.
USCIS aims to highlight the contributions of naturalized citizens through initiatives like Outstanding Americans by Choice and has allocated $12.6 million in grants to immigrant-serving organizations. Additionally, USCIS has launched the Citizenship and Integration Training Academy, a competitive funding opportunity, and expanded the Citizenship Ambassador initiative to extend immigration information and assistance to a broader range of communities.
USCIS is committed to ensuring the naturalization process remains accessible to all eligible individuals. Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, USCIS has implemented various measures to support the directives outlined in Executive Order 14012. This includes initiatives aimed at restoring confidence in the legal immigration systems and enhancing efforts for the integration and inclusion of new Americans, the press release added.
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