U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has developed a partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) to enhance the meaning and stature of naturalization ceremonies. There is an enduring connection between the American people and the national parks, and these historic and often picturesque sites provide a perfect backdrop to naturalization ceremonies. The partnership, in turn, will allow the National Park Service to build connections between new citizens and America’s parks. Close to 50 national parks have expressed an interest in hosting naturalization ceremonies
The USCIS/NPS partnership will:
- Match District Offices with National Parks in their jurisdictions that are interested in hosting naturalization ceremonies;
- Support and promote local partnerships already undertaken by District Offices and National Parks; and
- Sponsor a small number of new higher-profile naturalization ceremonies at selected parks that have a link to immigration or civic history.
USCIS will launch a campaign to promote both the partnership and individual naturalization ceremonies at National Parks around the country. The partnership will develop with many citizenship events including special ceremonies focused on Citizenship Day and other national commemorations.
Naturalization ceremonies sponsored by the Office of Citizenship will include keynote speakers from the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of the Interior, USCIS, the National Park Service and other organizations.
Below is a calendar of naturalization ceremonies that have occurred or are being planned for 2006:
National Park |
USCIS Office |
Dates |
Homestead National Monument |
Omaha |
Flag Day |
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore |
Detroit |
Flag Day |
Saratoga National Historical Park |
Albany |
Independence Day |
San Juan National Historical Park |
San Juan |
Independence Day |
Boston National Historic Park |
Boston |
Independence Day |
Ellis Island National Monument |
New York |
Citizenship Day |
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial |
St. Louis |
Citizenship Day |
Cabrillo National Monument |
San Diego |
Citizenship Day |
Yosemite National Park |
Fresno sub-office |
Citizenship Day |
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site |
Charleston sub-office |
Citizenship Day |
Homestead National Monument |
Omaha |
Citizenship Day |
National Mall & Memorial Parks |
Washington |
Citizenship Day |
CITIZENSHIP CEREMONIES AT NATIONAL PARKS SEPTEMBER 17-23
Sunday, September 17th
- National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington DC
Monday, September 18th
- Ellis Island National Monument, New York, NY
- Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, St. Louis, MO
- Homestead National Monument, Beatrice, NE
- Charles Pinckney National Historical Site, Charleston, SC
Wednesday, September 20
- Cabrillo National Monument (Military Naturalization), San Diego, CA
Friday, September 22
- Yosemite National Park, Sierra Nevada, CA