Naturalization ceremony to take place in April

Candidates originally from all over the world will make a life-changing decision next week � becoming a United States citizen.

This year�s petitioners represent the People�s Republic of China, Canada, Jordan, Mexico, Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Vietnam, according to Cathy Gould, deputy in charge of the southeastern division of the Eastern District of Missouri.

�The Court holds the ceremony and swears the candidates in as new citizens once they have fulfilled previous requirements,� Gould said.

To be sworn in as a new United States citizen, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website, a person must be at least 18 years old; have permanent residency for at least five years; be able to read, write and speak basic English; and have a basic understanding of U.S. history and government.

�We now have 14 candidates,� Gould said. �We have had as many as 22 or more.�

Guest speakers for the morning ceremony will be Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Zel M. Fischer; president of the Missouri Bar Morry S. Cole; and Carlos Vargas-Aburto, president of Southeast Missouri State University, who became a U.S. citizen July 4, 2016.

The ceremony will be presided over by U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. and will take place at 9 a.m. April 6 at the Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. U.S. Courthouse, 555 Independence St. in Cape Girardeau.

jhartwig@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3632

Pertinent address:

555 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.