Program Types & Tips Presenting a Program on Naturalization Sponsor a Naturalization Ceremony A naturalization ceremony represents the last step in the long process of becoming a citizen. By sponsoring a naturalization ceremony, your Law Day committee welcomes new citizens, introduces them to our justice system, celebrates their new status in the country, and helps educate the public about the naturalization process and the importance of citizenship. 1. Start planning a naturalization ceremony about five months ahead of time if possible. The very first steps should be to: Contact the local office of the INS, the agency that adjudicates naturalization applications. The telephone number varies depending upon the state and can be found by contacting the American Bar Association's Center for Immigration Law and Representation at 202/662-1007 or Browna@staff.abanet.org. Identify local immigrant service organizations that work with immigrants. These groups may be able to help plan the ceremony or may co-sponsor the event with the Law Day planners. Recruit a corps of volunteers to carry out various tasks. The number of volunteers needed will vary depending upon the size and complexity of the ceremony. 2. In cooperation with the INS, you'll need to make several decisions regarding the event. Working with INS, set a date for the naturalization ceremony. Discuss what you can do to prepare for the ceremony. While INS will provide the staff to process new citizens and will send notices of the ceremony to admittees, you'll likely be responsible for securing a location, inviting speakers, planning a reception, and additional arrangements. Determine the number of admittees to be sworn in. This will depend upon how many applicants the local INS office is prepared to process as well as the capacity of the possible location. Identify a location for the naturalization ceremony. Keep in mind the location must be able to accommodate the admittees, their families and guests, as well as the speakers and INS staff. You may also want to invite members of the general public. The location should be accessible and have sufficient space to process the admittees, for the actual ceremony and possibly for a post-ceremony reception. Select and invite participants who will speak at the event. You may want to invite speakers who are diverse in nationality, race, age and gender. Speakers might include a city or state official, a prominent naturalized citizen, or an admittee who is being sworn in at the ceremony. You may also choose to invite local cultural groups or students to perform. Select a judge to preside over the ceremony and administer the Oath of Renunciation and Allegiance. In most areas, an INS official can also conduct the ceremony, but the presence of a judge will add formality and solemnity. Invite bar members, teachers, students, and other guests to attend the event. 3. Make administrative arrangements for the ceremony. Assign logistical details to volunteers. These include: securing a location, sending invitations, publicizing the ceremony, selecting admittees to speak with reporters, hiring a photographer or videographer, posting direction signs to the ceremony room, arranging the stage and sending thank you letters.  Finalize the schedule of ceremonial events and prepare a written program with acknowledgments.  Assemble a kit for each new citizen. Kits can include a program for the ceremony, pamphlets that discuss citizenship responsibilities or information on civic participation, miniature American flags, pocket copies of the Constitution (for sale through this guide on page 54), notice to register to vote, passport application, and congratulatory letters from key members of the Law Day planning committee, the mayor or governor and the President of the United States. 4. Conduct the Ceremony This example of a typical naturalization program can be modified as necessary. The ceremony should probably not last more than one and a half hours. Volunteers assemble and check in admittees. The INS staff completes individual processing of the admittees. Participants are seated in the ceremonial room and the clerk convenes the court. After introductory remarks by a Law Day representative, an INS official requests a "Motion for Admission of Applicants for Naturalization." The judge rules affirmatively on the motion. The judge may make a statement about citizenship before administering the oath of allegiance. Then a speaker or admittee may lead the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag. A speaker congratulates the new citizens and discusses the significance of becoming a U.S. citizen and the responsibility they now bear to participate in the democratic process. A second speaker who is a well-known naturalized citizen may speak about what naturalization means to him or her. In closing, a member of the Law Day group may want to read aloud a list of countries from which the new citizens emigrated and ask the citizens to stand when their country is named. Community artists, cultural groups or school children can recite poetry, perform a dance, or perform a concert. Perhaps a voice student can sing the national anthem. This is a great opportunity to showcase the ethnic diversity of your community. 5. Hold a Post Ceremonial Reception. Invite new citizens, their families, and distinguished guests. A local organization such as the League of Women Voters may be invited to register new citizens to vote. You might want to provide refreshments from different countries donated by local ethnic restaurants or organizations. This article was prepared by the ABA Center for Immigration Law and Representation. The Center, with the ABA Coordinating Committee on Immigration Law, conducts a variety of activities to improve the rights of immigrants and increase their access to the justice system. The Center also educates lawyers, state and federal judges, and members of the public about the scope and effect of the immigration laws. The Center is completing a guide for involving bar members and associations in naturalization outreach and assistance initiatives. >>Presenting a Program on Naturalization >>Sponsor a Naturalization Ceremony >>Participate in a Citizen Preparation Class >>Other Ideas Reaching the Community Home | Program Types & Tips Home