Mayor Shaver will keynote Naturalization Oath Ceremony

On Monday morning, March 23rd, Historic City News readers are invited to attend when St Augustine Mayor Nancy Shaver will address a group of fifty residents who will complete the process of becoming United States citizens, by taking the Oath of Allegiance at an administrative naturalization ceremony.

Naturalization is the manner in which a person, not born in the United States, voluntarily becomes a citizen.

Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, will administer the Oath between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in the St. Johns County Auditorium, located at 500 San Sebastian View in Saint Augustine.

St Johns County Supervisor of Elections, Vicky Oakes, will be on hand to register the new citizens to vote in the Presidential elections in 2016, after they are sworn in. Voting in federal elections is both a right and a responsibility that comes with US citizenship.

“If you have never attended one of these ceremonies, you really should,” Oakes told Historic City News Thursday morning. “I always learn something. I find them interesting and very moving.”

Mayor Shaver will congratulate the new citizens on their accomplishment Monday, and offer them encouragement for the tasks that lie ahead. The candidates return their Permanent Resident Card before they take the Oath of Allegiance. Before leaving, they will receive their Certificate of Naturalization — official proof that they are US citizens.

At that time, the participants will be able to apply for a United States Passport or Passport Card through the US Department of State; they can register to vote and will be given instructions about updating the Social Security Administration.