From: Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen) Newsgroups: alt.visa.us,soc.culture.usa,soc.culture.african.american Subject: INS Celebrates Citizenship Day with Naturalization Ceremonies Message-ID: <1992Sep17.230811.8600@samba.oit.unc.edu> Date: 17 Sep 92 23:08:11 GMT Here is a press release from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. INS Celebrates Citizenship Day with Naturalization Ceremonies To: National Desk Contact: Verne Jervis or Duke Austin, 202-514-2648, both of the Immigration and Naturalization Service WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Commissioner Gene McNary announced today that the agency will conduct special naturalization ceremonies for new U.S. citizens across the country in recognition of Citizenship Day, Thursday, Sept. 17. More than 4,300 naturalization candidates will be sworn in as new U.S. citizens at 23 separate events. The events are listed below, in the order of occurrence: Date Time Location Number of Coordinating Candidates INS Office 9/15 1:30 p.m. State University 55 Albany, N.Y. Ballroom 518-472-2436 10 a.m. Dade County 1500 Miami Auditorium 305-530-7657 9/16 11 a.m. Hippodrome in Waco 172 San Antonio 512-871-7002 Noon 500 Camp St. 95 New Orleans 504-589-6521 1 p.m. Dallas District Office 25 Dallas 8101 North Stemmons 214-655-3011 Freeway 1 p.m. Anchorage District 7 Anchorage Office, 620 E 10th Ave. 907-868-3524 1 p.m. Minneapolis Courthouse 61 St. Paul 612-335-2211 2 p.m. Valley Forge National 12 Philadelphia Historical Park 215-656-7150 2:30 p.m. Minneapolis 45 St. Paul Courthouse 612-335-2211 7:30 p.m. Yolo County Fair 75 Sacramento, Calif. Grounds 916-551-3116 9/17 9:15 a.m. Aquarium of Niagara 30 Buffalo, N.Y. Falls 716-846-4741 10 a.m Archives of the United 30 Arlington, Va. States 703-307-1564 10 a.m. U.S. District Courthse. 48 Philadelphia Independence Hall 215-656-7150 National Historical Park 11 a.m. Historic District 26 Boise, Idaho Courthouse 208-334-1822 or 1824 11:30 a.m. Faneuil Hall on 400 Boston Merchant's Row 617-565-4943 6 p.m. McKinley High School 300 Honolulu Auditorium, Honolulu 808-541-1388 9/18 10 a.m. U.S. District Court 200 Hartford, Conn. Noon 915 LaFayette Blvd. 203-240-3050 2 p.m. in Bridgeport 10 a.m. Spring Branch Coliseum 746 Houston 713-229-2833 or 2834 10 a.m. Common Pleas Court 36 Philadelphia for Chester County 215-656-7150 11 a.m. City of New York, Dept. 75 New York of Health Auditorium 212-264-1689 125 Worth St. 1 p.m. Westbrook High School 40 Portland, Maine in Westbrook 207-780-3399 4:30 p.m. Scottish Rites Temple 177 San Diego 1895 Camino Del Rio South 619-557-5645 7 p.m. Jury Assembly Room 200 El Paso, Texas 200 South Kansas 915-534-6334 ------ U.S. CITIZENSHIP DAY AND NATURALIZATION -- More than 4,300 naturalization candidates will be sworn in as new U.S. citizens at separate events across the country as the Immigration and Naturalization Service proudly participates in the annual celebration of Citizenship Day, Sept. 17. -- Ceremonies will be held at special sites such as the Valley Forge National Historical Park, the Aquarium of Niagara Falls, and the Archives of the United States. The INS also recognizes Citizenship Day through representation at community observances, refugee speaker events, pageants, and civic-sponsored neighborhood programs. -- In 1939, the INS supported a movement to establish a specific day for national recognition of U.S. citizenship by designating a "New Citizens Day." -- The idea for a special celebration developed into "I Am An American Day" in 1940 under the influence of the Americanization League of America. This day became "Citizenship Day" through congressional joint resolution passed on Feb. 29, 1952. The day is celebrated in conjunction with "Constitution Week," beginning Sept. 17. -- The underlying purpose of Citizenship Day and Constitution Week is to strengthen a nation dedicated to liberty and justice -- a nation in which its citizens may live an abundant life, developing to the fullest their individual opportunities for success and rendering a corresponding service to their country. -- In proclaiming the most recent Citizenship Day, President Bush said that our observance of the day reminds us that we have not only many rights but also many responsibilities as citizens of this great nation. -- The U.S. Constitution can be an effective guarantee of freedom only as long as the American people understand and prize the principles that it enshrines. Each American has the responsibility to uphold the ideals of tolerance and justice; to teach children the difference between liberty and license; and to share in the hard work of freedom -- at the ballot box, in the workplace, on the farm, in the military, or through the home, schools and places of worship. This is the essence of good citizenship. -- U.S. citizenship is obtained by birth or through naturalization. The INS processed naturalization for about 250,000 people each year for the past five years. -- The INS also now gives naturalization candidates the option to go to approved outside testing services, which administer the examination necessary for applying. Law provides that applicants must demonstrate an understanding of ordinary English literacy and a knowledge and understanding of the history and form of U.S. government. -- Before outside testing, applicants could only be quizzed during an interview with INS officials. Interviews are still part of the procedure for ensuring that all naturalization candidates speak basic English, but applicants are able to take literacy and civics tests before their application and review process. Other basic requirements for application for U.S. citizenship include: Age: Must be at least 18 years of age before applying. Lawful Admission: Only those lawfully admitted to this country for permanent residence can be naturalized. Residence and Physical Presence: Must reside in the U.S. continuously for at least five years just before filing a petition with INS, with at least the last three months in residence in the state or INS district. Permission to be absent for periods of one year or more for work during the five-year period is granted based on certain requirements. Character and Loyalty: Must show that within the last five years, applicant has been a person of good moral character who believes in the principles of the Constitution and is favorable to the good order and happiness of the United States. Communist Party and Similar Membership: Cannot become a citizen if, at any time during past 10 years, has been been a member of or connected with the Communist Party or similar party within or outside the United States. Deportation: Cannot be naturalized if the applicant has broken immigration law and as a result is under deportation order. Literacy and Educational Requirements: Must pass an examination showing knowledge of U.S. history and government. Unless physically unable to do so, must usually be able to speak, understand, read and write simple English. Form M-132, "Information Concerning Citizenship Education to Meet Naturalization Requirements," provides information about textbooks and courses available. An applicant for naturalization must give up any foreign allegiance and any foreign title and promise to obey the Constitution and laws of the United States. -30- -- The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Campus Office for Information Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service. internet: bbs.oit.unc.edu or 152.2.22.80