On July 4, the United States celebrated our nation’s 245th birthday of the day the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) celebrated Independence Day 2021 by welcoming more than 9,400 new citizens in 170 naturalization ceremonies between June 30 and July 7.
In Chicago, 175 newcomers from 45 countries became naturalized American citizens at a Wrigley Field ceremony in honor of 4th of July. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker attended the naturalization ceremony on July 2, the 1st ever held at Wrigley Field.
On July 2, President Joe Biden hosted a naturalization ceremony at the White House to welcome 21 immigrants as citizens of the United States to launch the Independence Day celebrations. Biden told the new Americans and their families,
“I want to thank you all for choosing us, and I mean that sincerely. Thank you for choosing the United States of America, believing that America is worthy of your aspirations, worthy of your dreams.”
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas joined Biden at the White House and administered the Oath of Allegiance virtually to 22 military service members serving overseas who became citizens. Mayorkas, a naturalized U.S. citizen who came to the United States from Cuba as a young boy, said:
“Today, our nation is better than it was yesterday. It is better today, in part, because we have you as citizens.”
USCIS naturalized approximately 625,000 people in fiscal year 2020.
There are many practical benefits of being a U.S. citizen. United States citizens are entitled to rights and privileges that Legal Permanent Residents – Green Card holders – do not have.
Learn More: 10 Reasons to Become a United States Citizen
The procedures to become naturalized and a #newUScitizen are complex and stressful. It is important to have legal guidance from a knowledgeable immigration and citizenship attorney. The skilled immigration lawyers at Godoy Law Office can answer any questions about immigration and guide you through every step of the citizenship process. Call us today at 630-912-0322.
Immigration Attorney Mario Godoy has years of experience guiding clients with immigration issues through the immigration process along with guiding clients through the criminal case. Godoy focuses on family-based immigration law, business immigration law, removal defense, and criminal defense representation of immigrants. A criminal charge or conviction can be devastating to your immigration case. With over a decade of immigration law experience and memories of family members who were deported due to bad legal advice, Godoy is committed to helping other immigrant families receive the legal justice they deserve. As a legal entrepreneur who practices immigration law, criminal law, estate and probate law, and running two successful law firms, Mario Godoy understands the importance of keeping families together and making a home and future in America.
