USCIS to Naturalize 200 New Citizens at Lincoln Memorial Ceremony.

April 9, 2009

WASHINGTON - Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute will deliver congratulatory remarks and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Acting Deputy Director Michael Aytes will administer the Oath of Allegiance to America's newest citizens during a special naturalization ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial April 12, 2009. The naturalization ceremony is part of a national tribute to singer Marian Anderson and the celebration of the 200^th anniversary of President Lincoln's birth.

Renowned opera singer Denyce Graves will participate in the historic Marian Anderson concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Honored guests and speakers include retired Army Gen. Colin L. Powell; Commissioner of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Gabor Boritt; and Co-Chairman of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Harold Holzer. USCIS Washington District Director Sarah Taylor will present the candidates for citizenship.

The 200 citizenship candidates originate from the following 56 countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Lebanon, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nepal, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Palestine, People's Republic of China, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Taiwan, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Venezuela and Vietnam.

USCIS naturalized more than one million new citizens in fiscal year 2008.