MAYOR GIULIANI HELPS ADMINISTER OATH OF CITIZENSHIP TO 128 IMMIGRANTS FROM 20 COUNTRIES
New Citizens Took Part in City's "Citizenship NYC" Program
"It is an honor to watch you become American citizens," the Mayor said. "As citizens, you are embracing the country that has already given you the opportunity to build your life without leaving your culture or religion behind. You officially become part of the continuing legacy of this nation, and of the process that has rejuvenated this country and reaffirmed its fundamental principles in every generation."
"The process of immigration and naturalization continues to define us as a nation, and especially to define New York as a city. We have to preserve and protect this process, and continue to improve it, to keep New York as the Capital of the World and the United States," the Mayor added.
Through the "Citizenship NYC" Program, the City has worked with INS to ensure that all persons who are eligible to apply for naturalization do so. CNYC has filed 4,225 applications from its five Citizenship Centers across the City.
Joining the Mayor were the National Commissioner of U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, Doris Meissner, who administered the oath; Deputy Mayor Ninfa Segarra, who led the Oath of Allegiance; Edward J. McElroy, INS's New York District Director; Martin Oesterreich, Commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development, Angelica Tang, Director of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs; and Patrick Kelleher, First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Police Department.
Commissioner Oesterreich said, "As Commissioner of the agency that oversees the "Citizenship NYC" Program, and as a naturalized citizen myself, I am extremely proud of the work of CNYC, and the historic commitment that Mayor Giuliani has made to better the lives of our immigrant population. Today's ceremony will be, for the participants, as it was for me, the culmination of a life long dream."
The New York City Police Department was recognized by INS for providing fingerprinting services for tens of thousands of individuals. The Department has done all fingerprinting for City applicants since last December.
"Citizenship NYC" is the City's newest program to assist legal immigrants through the naturalization process. Under this program, the largest of its kind in the country, New York City helps legal immigrants, especially those at risk of losing SSI and Food Stamp benefits, by getting them on the road to citizenship and a better life.
INS's mission is to determine the admissibility of persons seeking entry to the United States and to adjust the status of and provide other benefits to legally entitled legal immigrants within the country with proper regard for equality and due process.
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