Naturalization ceremony; image courtesy of National Park Service

ONEIDA, TN - Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will host a naturalization ceremony on Thursday, April 23 where 150 individuals will take the oath of citizenship.

This event is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and witness this milestone. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. ET at Bandy Creek Visitor Center, with the Honorable Thomas W. Phillips presiding. Local Boy Scout Troop and Crew 333 will conduct the presentation of colors.

“We are so pleased to be welcoming America's newest citizens in this special place,” said Superintendent Niki Stephanie Nicholas. “Their inspirational journeys and experiences are now a part of the story of the Big South Fork.”

Naturalization is the official process through which a foreign citizen or national becomes a United States citizen after meeting the requirements set by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act. This process culminates in a formal court proceeding where individuals take the Oath of Allegiance, receive their Certificate of Naturalization and become U.S. citizens.

This official step unites new citizens through a shared commitment to the nation's values, opening doors to new opportunities and a brighter future. Join us as we celebrate these new U.S. citizens and welcome them into the fabric of our nation.

For more information, please contact Big South Fork NRRA at 423-569-9778.