GARDINER, Mont. — Yellowstone National Park (YNP) hosted a citizenship ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 26, welcoming 53 new citizens in the shadow of the Roosevelt Arch.
YNP shared photos from the event, taken by National Park Service photographer Jacob W. Frank, on its Flickr page. According to the park’s press release, U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick administered the Oath of Allegiance. USCIS Associate Director of External Affairs Directorate Carrie M. Selby and Yellowstone National Park Deputy Superintendent Mike Tranel offered congratulatory remarks.
The citizenship candidates originated from 24 countries, including Brazil, Burma, Canada, Columbia, Denmark, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Slovakia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Venezuela and Vietnam.
YNP noted that the new citizens reside in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.
In August, 19 new citizens were recognized at a similar ceremony in Grand Teton National Park.
“Ceremonies held in national parks advance the meaning and stature of citizenship by building connections between new citizens and America’s parks,” the National Park Service said in its press release, adding that naturalization ceremonies held in national parks represent the “strength and spirit of the United States.”
