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Thursday, September 14, 2023, Fort Scott National Historic Site will host the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services (USCIS) and the U.S. District Court, Kansas District, for a Special Naturalization Ceremony. Check-in for new citizens begins at 8 am and the ceremony will begin at 10:30 am. The Honorable Teresa J. James, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas, will preside over the ceremony on the historic grounds of the Fort.
The ceremony features musical performances from the Fort Scott High School orchestra and choir, welcoming remarks by Acting Superintendent Carl Brenner and Mayor Matthew Wells, and an address from Mark McCoy, former city manager for the City of Fort Scott.
Approximately 95 applicants will be naturalized from 36 different countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burma, Canada, China, Congo (Kinshasa), Egypt, El Salvador, France, Ghana, Honduras, India, Iran, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Korea, South, Laos, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, and Vietnam) at the ceremony, which is open to the public. There will be seating for the applicants, but other seating will be limited. Friends, family, and guests are highly encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for seating. In case of rain or other inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at Fort Scott Memorial Hall.