Naturalization Ceremony in South Korea as a Part of the Military Appreciation Month in May
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Seoul Field Office commemorated the “Military Appreciation Month” with a naturalization oath ceremony of 81 members of the Yongsan U.S. Army Garrison military community.
Of the 81 members included in this USCIS naturalization ceremony, 57 members belonged to the U.S. armed forces, 22 were spouses, and two were children of members of military located across South Korea.
Kenneth Sherman, USCIS Seoul Field Office Director, after directing the Oath of Allegiance in the citizenship ceremony, stated that though the month of May is dedicated as a mark of respect to the military, it is has always been a priority of USCIS to extend their support to the Military officers and their families every day. He also added that their commitment to defend the United States of America prior to naturalization has only served as an inspiration to ensure that the military community receives quality immigration services in any place they are stationed.
Maj. Gen. Lawrence L. Wells, Deputy Chief of Staff for the United Nations Command and U.S. Forces Korea, said that he felt proud to see the American service men and women administer the Oath of Allegiance during their naturalization oath ceremony while they already serve the U.S armed forces. The army personnel who were naturalized belonged to 30 different countries. More than 59,300 service personnel have been naturalized since September 2001 where 889 became citizens in ceremonies held in South Korea.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 has facilitated persons serving in the military to become citizens of United States even while they are in service at a foreign nation. Prior to this, the military service members were to be present in the United States for the naturalization ceremony to take place.