Naturalization Ceremony – April 9, 2026: 20 New Citizens from 10 Countries Sworn In
Naturalization Ceremony – April 9, 2026
On April 9, 2026, the City of Tulsa hosted a naturalization ceremony at which 20 individuals from 10 countries became United States citizens. The ceremony was led by Acting Field Office Director Heather Wells of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Oklahoma City office, with remarks from Mayor Monroe Nichols and Tabitha Adam, the City's Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Manager. The event included a presentation of colors by the Tulsa Police and Fire Departments, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call of former nationalities, the Oath of Allegiance, and individual congratulations.
Naturalization Ceremony Proceedings
- Countries represented: Argentina, Canada, Germany, Hungary, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdom.
- Candidates: 20 individuals became citizens. Director Wells led the Oath of Allegiance, after which each new citizen was individually recognized by Mayor Nichols.
- Oath of Allegiance: The new citizens renounced allegiance to foreign princes and states, pledged to support and defend the U.S. Constitution, bear arms when required, and perform work of national importance when required.
Remarks by City Officials
- Director Heather Wells (USCIS): Expressed excitement for the ceremony and noted that people who earn their citizenship often value it more than native-born citizens. Shared a personal story of adopting her child from China.
- Mayor Monroe Nichols: Welcomed the new citizens, acknowledging the work required to become a citizen. Emphasized that America's strength comes from its diversity and that the new citizens bring valuable perspectives from their home countries. He stated, "This country is the strongest country in the world because we are the great aggregator of diversity."
- Tabitha Adam (Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Manager): Identified herself as a fellow immigrant and congratulated the new citizens on their resilience and perseverance. She highlighted the shared immigrant experience and the hope that unites them.
Resources and Next Steps
- Language Access Program: Ensures multilingual Tulsans can fully access city resources.
- Boards and Commissions: The City encourages new citizens to volunteer on culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse commissions (e.g., Native American, Black, Latino, Asian, women's, and human rights commissions). Applications are available on the City of Tulsa website or at the ceremony exit.
- Photograph: A group photo with the mayor and deputy mayor was taken after the ceremony, available on the Resilient Tulsa Facebook page.
- Recording: The ceremony was recorded and can be viewed on T Gov (city government channel).
Key Outcomes
- Naturalization: 20 individuals from 10 countries were sworn in as U.S. citizens.
- No votes or formal decisions were taken; the ceremony was a recognition and welcome event.
- Next steps for new citizens: Encouraged to engage with city resources and consider serving on boards and commissions.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. My name is Heather Wells, and I'm the acting field office director at the Oklahoma City US CIS office in Oklahoma City, and I'm very excited to be a part of your special day. Before we get started, I just wanted to let you guys know that I am super excited to be here. This is the best day of the month. The best day are ceremony days. And I have always noticed that people who seem to uh earn their citizenship value it more than the people that are born with it. They take it, they take it more serious, they take it as very special. And I've never walked in your shoes because I was a I'm a born citizen, but once I adopted my child from China and we stepped off the airplane in Detroit, Michigan, and she became a U.S. citizen. I think I understand now just how special it really is. When I look at her and realize that my baby is now an American citizen. Well, she's not a baby anymore, she's 19. But once again, thank you for letting me be a part of your special days. Now we will have everyone stand for the presentation of the colors by the Tulsa and uh police and fire department. Please remain standing after the presentation of the colors for the Pledge of Allegiance. Present homes. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America and to the Republicans, my nation under God with liberty and justice. Please be seated. Before I administer the oath of allegiance, we are going to call each country of your former nationality so everyone can see where everybody is from. It's always fun to see how many countries we have in a ceremony. Today we have 20 people becoming citizens, and we have 10 countries. So that's a lot of countries for 20 people. So I when I call your country, please stand for a moment, wave your flag, your family can cheer for you, and then have a seat. Argentina. Canada. Germany. Hungary. India. Mexico. Pakistan. Philippines. South Africa. United Kingdom. Are you guys ready? Okay. So I'm going to have you stand and raise your right hand and repeat after me. Repeat with confidence. This is your big moment. I hereby declare on oath. That I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure. All allegiance and fidelity. To any foreign prince. Potentate. State or sovereignty. Of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen. That I will support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America. Against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. And that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States. When required by law.
openpublica.com