U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will conduct a naturalization ceremony hosted by Fresno State’s The Maddy Institute at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Liberty Ballroom (808 Fourth St.). About 200 residents of the greater Fresno area will be sworn in as U.S. citizens during the ceremony that is being held in honor of World Refugee Day. The event, in partnership with USCIS and the Citizenship Academy, begins with cultural performances at 8:30 a.m. and a welcome by Lorenzo Rios, chief executive officer of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, and former Fresno State Army ROTC commander, at 10:20 a.m. The Oath of Allegiance will be at 10:45 a.m. followed by Dr. Ghia Xiong, director of the Living Well Program at the Center for New Americans, addressing the new citizens at 11 a.m. The call of new citizens and presentation of certificates will close the ceremony at 11:30 a.m. World Refugee Day celebrates the courage and strength of those compelled to flee their homes in fear of persecution. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are more than 21 million refugees throughout the world today. INFO: Sharon Rummery, USCIS public affairs officer, at 415.987.0191.
