On Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, Constitution Day, Bandelier National Monument will once again partner with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to host a naturalization ceremony at the park. The ceremony will begin at 10am and be held in the outdoor amphitheater at the Juniper Campground on the mesa top. Fourteen applicants from eight countries, having worked hard to fulfill their requirements, are scheduled to take the oath and become the newest citizens of the United States.
Constitution Day, also known as Constitution and Citizenship Day, honors the document that guarantees American Citizens, born or by naturalization, their essential rights, that was signed on Sept. 17, 1787.
Ceremonies at American landmarks celebrate the conclusion of an immigrant’s journey to citizenship and honor the commitment they’ve shown along the way. National Park Service sites not only make these events meaningful for those who have voluntarily chosen to participate in American democracy and dedicated themselves to the country’s future, but they also reflect the strength and spirit of the United States.
Immigration Services Officer Albert Harb and Supervisor Lance Lennick, from the USCIS-Albuquerque Field Office, will conduct the ceremony. Bandelier Superintendent Patrick Suddath will provide the keynote address. The Los Alamos High School Bel Canto Choir will perform, and the Los Alamos County Clerk’s office will be in attendance. The Friends of Bandelier will provide water and snacks.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
