Orange County Clerk to Naturalize 99 People Today

From Orange County:

Goshen, N.Y. - Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus announced that County Clerk Annie Rabbitt will administer the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 7 at the County’s Emergency Services Auditorium on 22 Wells Farm Road in Goshen.

Orange County Court Judge Nicholas DeRosa will preside over the ceremony, which is open to the public. Dutchess County Court Judge Edward T. McLoughlin will serve as the guest speaker.

“We are honored that these men’s and women’s first moments as U.S. citizens will be right here in Orange County,” Neuhaus said. “I offer all of the soon-to-be U.S. citizens my sincerest congratulations and wish them great success in the U.S.”

Ninety-nine people from 43 countries will take the Oath of Allegiance, the final part of the naturalization process, renouncing all foreign allegiance while pledging to support and defend the American Constitution and laws of the United States. The County Clerk’s Office will host two more naturalization ceremonies this year in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security (Citizenship and Immigration Services) in June and November.

“We look forward to welcoming these new citizens and wishing them success in the U.S,” Rabbitt said. “Every person at the ceremony has made sacrifices and worked so hard to make this proud day a reality. These ceremonies are always heartwarming and touching.”

For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.