iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
India is ranked second among the top five countries of birth for naturalized U.S. citizens after Mexico. Until June 15, the United States welcomed 661,500 new citizens.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in the fiscal year 2022 USCIS has welcomed 661,500 new U.S. citizens as of June 15 and made significant progress in reducing the naturalization pending queues. In the fiscal Year, 2021 USCIS welcomed 855,000 new U.S. citizens.
The USCIS said in an official statement that Independence Day this year will be celebrated by welcoming more than 6,600 new citizens in more than 140 naturalization ceremonies between July 1 and July 8. “These ceremonies demonstrate our commitment to welcoming immigrants and promoting the benefits of U.S. citizenship for all who are eligible,” the statement said.
“Throughout our nation’s history, the promise of both life and liberty, and the freedom to pursue happiness, is what has drawn millions from across the globe to call America their home. At USCIS, our belief in the promise of America is renewed daily as we work to welcome immigrants as our fellow citizens,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou.
In the first quarter of the fiscal year 2021 Q1, the top five countries of nationality (Mexico, India, Cuba, the Philippines, and China) accounted for 35 percent of naturalizations: Mexico (24,508), India (12,928), the Philippines (11,316), Cuba (10,689), and the Dominican Republic (7,046). During this period, the U.S. welcomed 1,97,148 new citizens, the U.S Homeland Security has stated.
In his statement, Jaddou said: “There is nothing more patriotic than making the choice to be an American. This July 4, I’m proud to celebrate the more than 6,600 people who have invested their lives and hopes in our nation as new U.S. citizens. Our country will be stronger and more diverse because of the choice they have made.”
Each July 4, celebrations are held to mark the day the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776, declaring that the 13 American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation—the United States of America—and were no longer part of the British Empire. USCIS commemorates this momentous occasion by hosting special Independence Day-themed naturalization ceremonies across the country. Throughout these ceremonies, USCIS will honor and recognize the commitment and contributions of our newest U.S. citizens.
This year’s Independence Day activities will include special naturalization ceremonies across the country, including a naturalization ceremony for military service members at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego on July 1, informed an official communique released by USCIS.
Closer to the nation’s capital, on July 2, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines will participate in a ceremony at the Vienna Town Green and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will participate in a ceremony at George Washington’s Mount Vernon on July 4. Additional Independence Day ceremonies will be held at the New York Public Library, the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia’s Historic District, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Virginia, and national parks including Saguaro National Park in Arizona and Valley Forge in Pennsylvania.
