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FOR PLANNING PURPOSES

September 13, 2016

Contact:

Sam Mahood (916) 653-6575

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

Secretary of State Alex Padilla to Speak at Citizenship Ceremony in Yosemite

 

Secretary of State Alex Padilla will deliver the keynote speech at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization ceremony at Glacier Point in Yosemite tomorrow, Wednesday, September 14 at 11:00am. 

55 new citizens are expected to take the Oath of Allegiance at this ceremony. 

“Over 50 new citizens will take their oath at one of the most spectacular places in the world—Yosemite’s Glacier Point,” Secretary of State Padilla said. “2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park system, making this a truly special citizenship ceremony. The hard work and the determination of these new citizens represents the very best of our nation.” 

Secretary Padilla's parents emigrated from Mexico and raised their family in the working class community of Pacoima, California.  His father worked as a short order cook and his mother cleaned houses. Padilla attended local public schools and went on to graduate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Padilla served as a Los Angeles City Council member from 1999 to 2006 and as a California State Senator from 2006 to 2014 before being sworn in as Secretary of State on January 5, 2015. 

USCIS is asking new citizens and their families and friends to share the experience and photos at their ceremonies via Twitter using the hashtag #newUScitizen. 

Media are welcome to cover this event, and to approach new citizens for interviews.

 

WHO:

Secretary of State Alex Padilla

United States Magistrate Judge Michael Seng

Don Neubacher, Superintendent, Yosemite National Park

 

WHEN:                     

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

11:00 a.m.

 

WHERE:

Glacier Point Amphitheatre

Yosemite National Park

 

NOTE:

Parking is available on site – Please arrive early. 

The drive from the park entrance to Glacier Point is approximately 1 hour. 

 

PHOTO OPs/

INTERVIEWS:

 

• Naturalization ceremony with citizens taking Oath of Allegiance

• One-on-one interviews with Secretary of State Padilla, newly naturalized U.S. citizens, and officials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and National Park Service

• Yosemite’s Mounted Patrol conducting the flag ceremony

• Spectacular views of Yosemite National Park from Glacier Point.

 

CONTACTS:            

Secretary Padilla: Sam Mahood, (916) 653-6575 

USCIS: Sharon Rummery, (415)248-8873 office;

(415) 987-0191 mobile; Sharon.rummery@uscis.dhs.gov 

Yosemite National Park: Jamie Richards (209) 372-0529 (jamie_richards@nps.gov); or Scott Gediman (209) 372-0248 (scott_gediman@nps.gov).