GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK — Nineteen new U.S. citizens were naturalized at a special ceremony in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) on Thursday, Aug. 15, hosted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the National Park Service and the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Carman administered the Oath of Allegiance at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. USCIS Denver Field Office Director Andrew Lambrecht and GTNP Acting Deputy Superintendent Robin Martin offered congratulatory remarks.
Candidates for citizenship originated from Australia, Ecuador, Estonia, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Romania and Vietnam.
“Naturalization ceremonies held in national parks advance the meaning and stature of citizenship by building connections between new citizens and America’s parks,” the park service said in its press release, adding that naturalization ceremonies held in national parks represent the “strength and spirit of the United States.”
The event included an opportunity for the children of new citizens to recite the Pledge of Allegiance on the stage.
Last year, Yellowstone National Park hosted a citizenship ceremony at the park’s Roosevelt Arch.
