Between June 30 and July 7, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will mark Independence Day by joyfully receiving a minimum of 5,500 individuals as new citizens through approximately 180 naturalization ceremonies.

The naturalization ceremonies are included in the scheduled events to commemorate the 2023 Independence Day.

July 4th is a federal holiday in the United States that honors the Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776.

On Friday, USCIS released a statement affirming that the naturalization ceremonies exemplify the nation's dedication to embracing immigrants and highlighting the advantages of U.S. citizenship for all eligible individuals.

In the fiscal year (FY) 2022, USCIS celebrated the addition of 974,000 new U.S. citizens.

As of June 7, FY 2023 has already witnessed the welcoming of 588,900 new U.S. citizens, and significant progress has been made in reducing the backlog of pending naturalization applications.

"Encouraging citizenship and fostering a sense of belonging within our diverse community is a priority for USCIS."

USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou expressed, "Advocating for citizenship and ensuring that the naturalization process is within reach for all eligible individuals is a wonderful continuation of the core principles that gave rise to our nation 247 years ago.

This holiday provides a unique occasion to reassert our dedication to the USCIS mission and extend a warm welcome to new citizens as they embark on their American journey."