Special Naturalization Ceremony in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jan. 21, 2011

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today during a special naturalization ceremony at the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro, N.C.

“Dr. King dedicated his life to the principle of equal opportunity for all,” said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “It is fitting that our agency, as the administrator of our nation's legal immigration system, honor Dr. King's legacy. We are dedicated to fulfilling our nation's promise as a beacon of hope and opportunity.”

The International Civil Rights Center & Museum is an archival center, collecting museum and teaching facility devoted to the international struggle for civil and human rights. The museum memorializes the nonviolent protests of the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins that served as a catalyst for the civil rights movement.

2011 marks the second year USCIS has hosted naturalization ceremonies to commemorate Dr. King’s fight for equality, justice and opportunity for all Americans, including America’s newest citizens. Honoring Dr. King’s life’s work speaks not only as a reminder of the power that all Americans hold as individuals, but to the collective strength Americans possess when we come together to shape a brighter future. 

USCIS honored Dr. King’s service and sacrifice at several other special events across the country, including a ceremony on Jan. 11 at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., and another at the King Center in Atlanta, Ga., on Jan. 14 where speakers included Elder Bernice A. King, daughter of Dr. King, and Martin Luther King, III.

A list of these special ceremonies is available on the USCIS website. For more information on USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog, The Beacon.