Over 500 foreign-born Pacific Northwest residents became naturalized U.S. citizens on Sunday, July 4 at a mass ceremony held at the Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion. The 514 candidates, from over 80 countries, were among 3,800 people to be granted citizenship on Independence Day this year at over 55 similar ceremonies nationwide.
Our news partner, The Seattle Times, had a nice story on the 26th Annual Naturalization Ceremony, hosted by the Ethnic Heritage Council, yesterday. The full story can be read here.
From the Times piece:
“We are proud that you are woven into this tapestry we call America,” U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell told Seattle’s crowd of candidates, families and supporters. “You are not only declaring your freedom; you are making a commitment to uphold freedom.”