Politics & Government
Howard County Welcomes 50 New U.S. Citizens in Special Naturalization Ceremony
FIRN partners with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Howard County Government and many community groups for event.
Celebrating Howard County’s New American Citizens
April 18, 2015 at the George Howard Building, Ellicott City.
A joyous culmination to an often long and challenging journey--every immigrant’s story is unique. Whether their journey originated in Ecuador or Ethiopia, in Jamaica or Thailand, immigrants come to the United States to begin new lives. FIRN joins in welcoming our newest naturalized citizens, who have chosen to add their own threads to Maryland’s rich multicultural fabric.
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“FIRN’s vision is a community that welcomes foreign-born neighbors, values their cultures, and celebrates their achievements. More and more we see a growing commitment in our county toward this vision, including this special ceremony,” said Jill Marie Bussey, President of the Board of Directors for FIRN. “FIRN has supported immigrants in Howard County and beyond for more than 30 years. Citizenship is a major milestone in the immigration journey that we know, in many cases, has been years if not decades in the making.”
As an involved community partner, FIRN provides critical services and programs in Howard County and beyond, including children’s after school programs, citizenship preparation classes and immigration counseling. Taking part in the special naturalization ceremony represents a joyful annual highlight to FIRN’s daily, active efforts on behalf of the foreign-born population.
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FIRN’s Executive Director, Hector Garcia, emphasized that the happy occasion is also an emotional one. “Last year, I had a hard time holding back my emotions,” he said, “when I looked out and saw all the different faces and cultures. I saw that there was a maturity and depth to their character. I was incredibly grateful that these individuals were going to become a part of the United States and were no longer living on the sidelines.”
FIRN is proud to partner with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Howard County Government, the Col. Thomas Dorsey Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, and many other community partners in celebrating and welcoming our newest citizens.
For further information on the event please contact Hector Garcia: hgarcia@firnonline.org
Telephone: 410-992-1923
