Thirteen men and women from five different countries took the Oath of Allegiance and became United States citizens during the first ever naturalization ceremony held at Scotts Bluff National Monument on Thursday morning. Andy Lambrecht, the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services Denver Field Office director, said that his office enjoys partnering with the National Parks Service to bring citizenship events to beautiful and historic locations. In this case, it also meant bringing the ceremony to the new citizens’ backyards. “Normally, folks who are in this part of Nebraska need to travel quite a long way to become citizens.
Sometimes to the Denver area, sometimes to Cheyenne,” Lambrecht said. “We’re really thrilled to be here today, holding the ceremony in the community where most of you live.” The new citizens came to the area from Mexico, Cuba, Honduras, Peru and India.
Chief Ranger Justin Cawiezel welcomed them and their supporters to Scotts Bluff National Monument, and drew a connection between the site’s history and the celebration taking place. “I want you to think about how right outside of this Visitors Center is the California/Oregon Trail,” he said. “Many people would have been passing through here at this time of year.
At the height of immigration of people westward to new lives and opportunities, you’re looking at anywhere from 50,000 to 70,000 each year. Many of them were immigrants from other countries.” Cawiezel said those westward trav.