Seventy four individuals from 42 different countries became naturalized American Citizens on Oct. 5, with a ceremony organized and put on by the U.S. National Park Service and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Over a hundred different countries were represented by their applicants, including Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chad, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Liberia, Lithuania, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.
After the event, Jason Newman, the superintendent of the Frederick Law Olmsted, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Sites, made the following statement: "Over the past 264 years, the occupants of this historic house have shaped our nation through their words and actions." We are humbled by the prospect of how much of an impact you will have on subsequent generations, but it is a pleasure to have you participate with us in welcome the newest Americans into this rich heritage.
On the website of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, it is said that there are numerous ways to become a citizen of the United States. Some of these ways include becoming a member of a military family, getting married to a citizen of the United States, serving in the armed forces, or being a lawful permanent residence for at least five years.
Becoming a citizen of the United States often involves going through a total of about ten different steps. Among these include submitting an application, going through an interview and examination, waiting for a decision from USCIS, and finally, swearing an oath of allegiance.
A person who wishes to become a naturalized citizen is required to pass two examinations: an English language exam that covers speaking, reading, and writing; and a civics exam, which may be in the form of an oral exam in which a USCIS officer may ask as many as 10 questions. Both of these exams must be passed with passing grades. An applicant is required to offer correct responses to a minimum of six questions in order for them to pass the civics test that is administered by USCIS.
