Twenty candidates from many countries took the oath and became the newest citizens of the United States during the ninth annual Naturalization Ceremony Thursday, July 4 at Bandelier National Monument. Courtesy photo
Scene from the ninth annual Naturalization Ceremony July 4 at Bandelier. Courtesy photo
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos provides refreshments at the ninth annual Naturalization Ceremony Thursday, July 4 at Bandelier National Monument. Courtesy photoCOMMUNITY News:
For the ninth year, Bandelier National Monument partnered with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to host a naturalization ceremony on the Fourth of July in the park.
Twenty candidates from many countries, after working for years to fulfill their requirements, took the oath and became the newest citizens of the United States.
The ceremony was in the Bandelier Visitor Center Theater in Frijoles Canyon. Supervisory Immigration Services Officer Alice Jacqueline Puccetti officiated along with Deputy Director Mario R. Ortiz and Field Office Director Jesse Mendez. The ceremony also included an address by Bandelier Superintendent Jason Lott.
Many members of the community make this annual ceremony possible including, Rotary, which provides refreshments; Alicia Solomon singing the National Anthem; Flowers by Gillian provides flowers for the candidates; Western National Parks Association provide gift bags and Atomic City Transit provides extra buses.
The Candelaria family from San Felipe Pueblo presented traditional dances and demonstrated Pueblo crafts.
Scene from the ninth annual Naturalization Ceremony July 4 at Bandelier. Courtesy photo
Scene from the ninth annual Naturalization Ceremony July 4 at Bandelier. Courtesy photo
New citizens have an opportunity to register to vote following the ceremony. Courtesy photo