Flint, Michigan- Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) will host a naturalization ceremony for 401 new citizens at Kettering University on Friday, January 14th at 10am.  U.S. District Court Judge Paul Gadola will administer the oath of allegiance to 401 new citizens from over 65 different countries.  The keynote speaker at the naturalization ceremony will be Juan Mestas, Chancellor of the University of Michigan-Flint.

“I am honored to welcome these new citizens as full and equal partners in our American democracy,” said Kildee.   “We are truly a nation of immigrants where anyone can pursue their dreams and provide a better life for their families.  Our nation will continue to be enriched by the diversity and contributions of our new citizens.” 

All of the new citizens were permanent resident aliens with visas for 5 years before they were able to submit an application for naturalization.  In order to become a naturalized citizen of the United States, each applicant had to prove their ability to read and write in English, pass a U.S. history and civics test and undergo a thorough background check by the FBI.  The final step in the naturalization process is for new citizens to recite the oath of allegiance to the United States.  After the oath is administered, the Citizenship and Immigration Services Office will provide each citizen with a certificate of naturalization.