How Schools Might Paticipate in Citizenship Ceremonies

Federal courts conduct citizenship ceremonies, which are open to the public and may be attended by hundreds and sometimes thousands of people. These important civic events, conducted in courtrooms and at civic sites and landmarks, present an educational outreach opportunity for promoting public understanding of the federal courts. ataogrp_outreach@ao.uscourts.gov

 

How Some Courts Involve the Community

The following are activities that some courts bring into their ceremonies. Schools may want to approach their local federal court to ask if they can organize these activities as part of a service-learning project.

Student Involvement: The options for student involvement range from simply observing the ceremony to taking an active part in it. Examples include students:

1. Serving as the color guard.
2. Leading the Pledge of Allegiance and/or a patriotic song.
3. Writing and delivering welcome letters to the new citizens at an appropriate time before, during, or after the event.*
4. Reading a personal essay related to the occasion.
5. Greeting participants in a receiving line.
6. Presenting the new citizens with flags.
7. Staffing tables with information about jury service, voter registration, and community volunteerism.
8. Conducting podcast interviews with new citizens.
9. Interacting with people from countries whose language they are learning.

Civic Organization Involvement:Civic organizations also may want to participate in citizenship ceremonies in some of the ways described here.

More Public Involvement: Sometimes local members of Congress participate in naturalization ceremonies. On occasion, the media covers the events.

An example of a successful activity came from the eighth graders in Oklahoma City who wrote welcome letters to newly naturalized citizens. Here are excerpts from two of the letters:

"I hope you will have a better life in this country. You might find some difficulties but when you are in America someone will always be looking out for you."

-- Ryan (eighth grader)

"People risk their lives, families, and reputations to get into this country, and you made it. You have become a citizen who is not illegal and is not in fear of being found out. Never forget what it took to get where you are today."

-- Maria (eighth grader)