McKendree University Hosts Naturalization Ceremony July 19

(LEBANON, Ill., July 19, 2024) – The United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois hosted a Naturalization ceremony on Friday, July 19 at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts at McKendree University. United States District Judge Staci M. Yandle presided over the ceremony.

The Department of Justice presented 70 candidates from 26 different countries for naturalization, with their families and friends in attendance. Also in attendance were the Women’s League of Voters, who were available to help the new citizens become registered voters, Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution.

“This is a special day for you and hopefully one you will remember forever,” Judge Yandle said.

The new candidates took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States and were welcomed with thunderous applause, cheers and whistles from their family and friends and McKendree staff. They then each introduced themselves and shared their country of origin with many of them thanking their families for support and expressing gratitude and excitement in becoming an American citizen.

The Southern District of Illinois is one of three federal judicial districts in Illinois and is comprised of the 38 southernmost counties. Although the ceremony is an official court proceeding, the court elects to host Naturalization ceremonies at various locations within communities in the district. This provides opportunities for students and citizens to witness the Naturalization process firsthand and learn more about how immigrants to the United States become citizens.

For more information, please visit the court’s website at www.ilsd.uscourts.gov or call (618) 482-9424.

 

-McK-