DHS, DOD, and USCIS Officials Gathered to Commemorate Military Naturalization Milestone at the Pentagon
September 11, 2009 – 10:05 am
To commemorate the milestone of more than 52,000 American military service members becoming U.S. citizens since September 11, 2001, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano was joined by host of dignitaries including Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Robert Gates and USCIS Director Alejendro Mayokas at a naturalization ceremony for 31 military men and women at the Pentagon. Speaking on the occasion, Napolitano said, “I am proud to swear in these brave men and women who have come from all over the world to serve our country and become its newest citizens.” The 31 men and women who were naturalized came from Bangladesh, China, Ecuador, Ghana, Haiti, India, Iran, Jamaica, Liberia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Philippines, Senegal, South Korea, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. The partnership between DHS and DOD has resulted in more than 9,000 non-citizens in uniform becoming American citizens this fiscal year – more than any year since 1970, Napolitano remarked.
For complete information, please click Secretary Napolitano Leads Naturalization Ceremony for 31 Service Members at the Pentagon
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