In recognition of Constitution Week and Citizenship Day, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will welcome America’s newest citizens during a special naturalization ceremony at Rowan College at Burlington County on Friday, Sept. 13, at 11:00 a.m. 

USCIS Deputy District Director Tamika Gray will administer the Oath of Allegiance. Dr. Michael A. Cioce, president of Rowan College at Burlington County, U.S. Representative Andy Kim and Burlington County Freeholder Deputy Director Balvir Singh will address the new citizens. Kenneth Mariano, RCBC’s political science instructor and program coordinator, will serve as master of ceremonies. 

This event is also supported by the League of Women Voters of Burlington County; Karen Hendershoot, president of the organization, will deliver congratulatory remarks. Ya-Mei Chen, director of the Mount Laurel USCIS Field Office will offer closing remarks. 

Over 150 candidates from 51 countries will become citizens during the ceremony. RCBC students Nene Balde, Edralyn Jimeno and Wilson Baez will sit among them. 

“I’m extremely excited for the upcoming ceremony. I started this journey five years ago and seeing that it is almost complete makes me really happy,” Baez, of the Dominican Republic, said. “Living in the United States for three years has taught me how amazing this country is, and I know I will always be proud to say that I’m part of it.”

During Constitution Week, USCIS celebrates the connection between the Constitution and citizenship and encourages all Americans to reflect on what it means to be a citizen of the United States.

For more information about the naturalization process and filing online, visit uscis.gov or follow USCIS on Twitter (@uscis), Instagram (/uscis), YouTube (/uscis), and Facebook (/uscis).