Washington, DC – September 17 is Citizenship Day in the United States; a day to celebrate the Constitution and the meaning of U.S. citizenship. Among the activities marking Citizenship Day this week are massive naturalization ceremonies at Fenway Park in Boston (Wednesday), a thousand-person ceremony (this past Monday) in Las Vegas, a 900-person swearing-in in Orlando (also Monday), and another 600-person ceremony in Denver today, among many others. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reports that 700,000 new Americans have been sworn in this year. The following is a statement by Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum, a non-partisan, pro-immigrant advocacy group in Washington.
Hundreds of thousands of new American citizens joining our country this year is a sure sign that our nation is strong and immigration remains a defining part of the American character. Embracing America, becoming a citizen, registering to vote, and voting are among the most telling indications that immigrants today are revitalizing our democracy, as they have done for more than two centuries.
Hundreds of thousands of new American citizens joining our country this year is a sure sign that our nation is strong and immigration remains a defining part of the American character. Embracing America, becoming a citizen, registering to vote, and voting are among the most telling indications that immigrants today are revitalizing our democracy, as they have done for more than two centuries.