Print Version (PDF)

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES
February 21, 2018

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

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

 

SACRAMENTO – Secretary of State Alex Padilla will deliver the keynote speech at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization ceremony at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento on February 22 at 10:00 a.m.  Secretary Padilla will be encouraging the new citizens to register to vote and become active participants in our democracy.

Secretary Padilla is the son of immigrants who became naturalized U.S. Citizens. His 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, including four and half years as Council President, 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, as well as their families and friends, to share the experience with photos from 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

WHEN:

Thursday, February 22, 2018
10:00 a.m.

WHERE:

Sacramento Memorial Auditorium
1515 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

NOTE:

TV cameras should be set up by 9:45 a.m.  Secretary Padilla will be available for interviews following the ceremony.

CONTACTS:

Secretary Padilla: Sam Mahood or Jesse Melgar (916) 653-6575
USCIS: Sharon Rummery (415) 248-8873 (Office); (415) 987-0191 (cell)

###

Follow the California Secretary of State on Twitter and Facebook.