Nokesville man to welcome 25 new citizens Aug. 1

Ken Cuccinelli of Nokesville, former Va. Attorney General and now acting director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), will administer the Oath of Allegiance and congratulate 29 children ages 6-12 on Thursday, presenting them with certificates of citizenship at Dunbarton House, 2715 Q St. NW, Washington, DC 20007

The ceremony celebrates the 240th birthday of Francis Scott Key, the attorney and poet who wrote the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

USCIS periodically holds special ceremonies for children to recognize and celebrate their citizenship, which is generally derived through their naturalized parents or adoption.

The children originate from 25 countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cameroon, Canada, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Ukraine and Vietnam.

USCIS encourages new citizens and their families and friends to share the experience and photos at their ceremonies via social media using the hashtag #newUScitizen.