Citizenship ceremonies to mark President’s Day

Over the coming days, nearly 20,000 American permanent residents will become new US citizens during more than 180 naturalisation ceremonies across the country.

The ceremonies, which will be held between 12th and 22nd February, are to mark this year’s President’s Day, which honours the birth of the nation’s first president, George Washington.

“Whatever their backgrounds and political views, our presidents have all recognized that we could not have succeeded as a nation were it not for the contributions of immigrants,” said United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Director León Rodríguez. “Through the contributions they make, and by choosing to naturalise, our newest citizens will strengthen the fabric of our nation and reinforce America’s unique heritage as a nation of immigrants.”

This year, Presidents Day activities will feature a naturalisation ceremony at George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Mount Vernon, Virginia, on 22nd February. Director Rodríguez will administer the Oath of Allegiance to 50 people and deliver keynote remarks.

President’s Day is held annually on the third Monday of February and has been classed as a Federal holiday since 1885.

President George Washington was born on 22nd February 1732 and became America’s First President in 1789, ruling for 8 years.