BENTONVILLE, Ark — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas will welcome 99 new citizens during a special naturalization ceremony Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
On Sept. 17, the nation will observe Constitution Day and Citizenship Day as part of Constitution Week (Sept. 17 to 23).
The commemoration honors both the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787 and an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day.”
Citizenship Day began in 1952 based on a law signed by President Harry Truman, and in 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed the first Constitution Week.
Each year, USCIS celebrates Constitution Day and Citizenship Day – and Constitution Week – by celebrating the connection between the Constitution and citizenship, reflecting on what it means to be a citizen of the United States, and holding special naturalization ceremonies across the country.
USCIS often participates in naturalization ceremonies at museums, schools, libraries, and other notable locations to celebrate the conclusion of an immigrant’s journey to citizenship and honor the commitment they have shown along the way.
Special venues not only make these events meaningful for those who have voluntarily chosen to participate in American democracy and dedicated themselves to the country’s future, but they also reflect the strength and spirit of the United States.
The 99 citizenship candidates came from:
- Burma
- Cambodia
- Canada
- China
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- India
- Laos
- Liberia
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Russia
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
- Vietnam.
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