100 new U.S. citizens welcomed during ceremony at Texas Capitol
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) welcomed 100 new citizens Monday during a naturalization ceremony at the Texas Capitol. The ceremony also celebrated the 188th anniversary of the independence of the state of Texas.
The USCIS said the citizenship candidates came from 36 different countries. Some of the new citizens also registered to vote following the ceremony.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Hightower administered the Oath of Allegiance, and Dr. Jesus F. de la Teja — Regent’s Professor Emeritus and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at Texas State University in San Marcos — spoke at the ceremony.
The 100 citizenship candidates originated from the following countries: Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, France, Hungary, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, United Kingdom, Venezuela and Vietnam.