Ellis Island Citizenship Day Naturalization Ceremony

USCIS welcomed our country’s newest citizens on the historic Ellis Island, N.Y., where nearly half of all Americans can trace their ancestors’ first arrival in the United States. The present-day immigrants symbolically complete that journey when, under the watchful eye of Lady Liberty, they take their solemn oath to become a citizen of the United States. This ceremony is especially meaningful today on the observed date of Citizenship Day, when we commemorate the signing of the U. S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. Citizenship Day is part of Constitution Week, which spans Sept. 16-23. More than 38,000 people will become U.S. citizens at naturalization ceremonies across the country during Constitution Week.