A special naturalization ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8th at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, located at 420 S. Sixth St. in Springfield, Illinois. This event will be hosted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS alongside the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois marking this significant milestone for 110 individuals from 42 various countries who are set to become official U.S. citizens.

The ceremony will be led by U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless, who will administer the Oath of Allegiance, the final step to the citizenship process. Lincoln Library Director Gwen Harrison will address these newest citizens, providing words of encouragement as they move forward in their journeys as Americans.

USCIS organizes these ceremonies frequently and does so at meaningful venues like the Hoogland Center for the Arts to fit the billing of the special occasion. Central Illinois and its many communities will benefit from this newest crop of American citizens. Many of those being professionals, students, and community members who have already been contributing to our local economy among other factors. Their participation only strengthens our neighborhoods, schools, and businesses.

Guests and participants are encouraged to share their experiences on social media with the hashtag #NewUSCitizens to showcase their personal stories.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow them X (formerly Twitter,) Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.