On July 2, 2021, the Biden administration announced an interagency campaign to promote naturalization “to all who are eligible.” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said that the strategy “will ensure that aspiring citizens are able to pursue naturalization through a clear and coordinated process.”
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said that the interagency strategy for promoting naturalization reflects the collaboration of USCIS; the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, State, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Defense, Justice, Veterans Affairs, and Agriculture, and the Social Security Administration. These agencies are part of the interagency naturalization working group established pursuant to President Biden’s executive order 14012, issued in February, to prioritize citizenship education and awareness through capacity building and expanded partnerships.
Activities will include:
- Use of data regarding potential naturalization-eligible populations;
- Citizenship public education and awareness campaign;
- National and community targeted outreach through traditional and social media;
- Stakeholder engagement;
- Promotion of citizenship and education resources;
- The USCIS Outstanding Americans by Choice initiative;
- The USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant Program; and
- Capacity building through collaboration and partnerships.
USCIS reported that more than 9,400 new citizens will be naturalized in 170 ceremonies between June 30 and July 7, 2021. This year’s Independence Day activities included a naturalization ceremony with President Biden at the White House on July 2 and a ceremony with Secretary Mayorkas administering the oath of allegiance virtually to 22 military service members serving overseas, which took place on June 30.
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