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Fifty-one service members became U.S. citizens on March 11, 2005, during an all-military naturalization ceremony at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. Born in 26 countries, the majority of the service members naturalized today have already served in combat as part of "Operation Iraqi Freedom."

Former U.S. President H.W. Bush shows off his American flag jacket lining to Alex and Edward Weston as their mother, U.S. Army Specialist Rosa Weston, holds her certificate of citizenship after a naturalization ceremony at the Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.

Fifty soldiers, who recently returned from combat duty in 'Operation Iraqi Freedom', were sworn in as U.S. citizens during the ceremony. 		Former U.S. President H.W. Bush shows off his American flag jacket lining to Alex and Edward Weston as their mother, U.S. Army Specialist Rosa Weston, holds her certificate of citizenship after a naturalization ceremony at the Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. Fifty soldiers, who recently returned from combat duty in 'Operation Iraqi Freedom', were sworn in as U.S. citizens during the ceremony. USCIS San Antonio District Director Kenneth Pasquarell is on the left, and Director Aguirre is to the right. (Photo by Chandler Arden, Bush Presidential Library Foundation)  Read More.

Specialist Victor Alfonso Rojas
USCIS Director Eduardo Aguirre administers the Oath of Allegiance to Specialist Victor Alfonso Rojas while his father, Arnulfa Rojas, looks on during a ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC on March 7, 2005.
USCIS Director Eduardo Aguirre administers the Oath of Allegiance to Specialist Victor Alfonso Rojas.

On Nov. 16, 2004, Rojas was driving a vehicle as part of a convoy to collect fuel trucks at Camp Spiker in Iraq. While rendezvousing with a second convoy, he and the convoy suddenly found themselves under rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack. Although he received serious wounds to his right knee when a RPG round hit his vehicle, Rojas continued to drive, using left leg to get the other soldiers with him in the vehicle out of the line of fire. As he was driving away, his vehicle took a second round, and he suffered additional injuries. Once clear of the attack and everyone was safe, Rojas sought treatment, and was evacuated due to his injuries. (Photo by Michael Dukes, WRAMC) Read More.

Newest Citizen
The Seattle (WA) District Office welcomed a new American in a very unique way on Tuesday afternoon, January 4, 2005. Shortly after completing her adjustment of status interview, Tatyana Mikheyev went into labor. With the help of local paramedics, Mrs. Mikheyev gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Pictured with Mom and baby Jennifer are proud father Yurily and brother Mark (3).
The Mikheyev family welcomes their newest member.

The Mikheyev family welcomes their newest member.

Army Sergeant Manuel Mendoza
On December 13, 2004, USCIS Director Eduardo Aguirre swore in Army Sergeant Manuel Mendoza as a United States citizen in a private ceremony at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Surrounded by his family, senior Army officials, and many of the doctors, nurses, and medical staff treating him for serious injuries sustained in combat in Iraq, Sgt. Mendoza raised his right hand to take the Oath of Allegiance to fulfill his long held dream of becoming a U.S. citizen.
Mendoza was injured in Iraq on October 3, 2004, by a roadside blast from an improvised explosive device that caused a vehicle rollover, resulting in the loss of his two legs. He arrived at Walter Reed a week later for treatment, which he describes as "I had been in this country for a long time and have been proud to be a legal resident," Mendoza explained. "I have served this country, and I am proud to defend this great country. It is a great honor to serve this country."

He was injured in Iraq on October 3, 2004, by a roadside blast from an improvised explosive device that caused a vehicle rollover, resulting in the loss of his two legs. He arrived at Walter Reed a week later for treatment, which he describes as "going great."

Sgt. Mendoza enlisted in January 2000 as a combat engineer, and was first stationed at Fort Drum, New York, with the 41st Engineers followed by an assignment with the 2nd Engineers at Camp Castle, Korea. His most recent assignment was with the 58th Combat Engineer Company, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin, Calif., which deployed to Iraq in support of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. When he was four years old, Sgt. Mendoza moved to Boonville, California, with his family from his native Mexico. After growing up in the lush vineyard region of Mendocino County, he joined the Army, attracted by the educational opportunities the military offered. "I joined for the college option, but stayed in because of my pride of serving."

Sgt. Mendoza enlisted in January 2000 as a combat engineer, and was first stationed at Fort Drum, New York, with the 41st Engineers followed by an assignment with the 2nd Engineers at Camp Castle, Korea. His most recent assignment was with the 58th Combat Engineer Company, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin, Calif., which deployed to Iraq in support of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

U.S.S. Midway Hosts All-Military Naturalization Ceremony
On November 11th, 2004, nearly 80 men and women in crisp dress uniform from 25 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to their adopted country during a special military naturalization ceremony on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Midway in San Diego Harbor.
With the sun shining brightly over San Diego Harbor and the Naval Air Station North Island Color Guard and a host of patriot songs filling the air, U.S. service members took the Oath of Allegiance to their adopted country on November 11, 2004. With the sun shining brightly over San Diego Harbor and the Naval Air Station North Island Color Guard and a host of patriot songs filling the air, U.S. service members took the Oath of Allegiance to their adopted country on November 11, 2004. This photo courtesy of the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum.
The new Americans, including Sailors, Marines and one member of the U.S. Coast Guard, hail from the following countries: Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Kampuchea, Liberia, Laos, Mexico, Peoples Rep of China, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, St. Kitt West Indies, Syria, Thailand, The Gambia, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Western Samoa. The new Americans, including Sailors, Marines and one member of the U.S. Coast Guard, hail from the following countries: Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Kampuchea, Liberia, Laos, Mexico, Peoples Rep of China, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, St. Kitt West Indies, Syria, Thailand, The Gambia, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Western Samoa.
Included in this group of new citizens were the first nine service members to benefit from a recent filing fee waiver extended to military personnel as of October 1, 2004. Included in this group of new citizens were the first nine service members to benefit from a recent filing fee waiver extended to military personnel as of October 1, 2004.
USCIS Honored During National Adoption Awareness Month
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Child Citizenship Act Project (CCAP) will be honored on National Adoption Day, November 20th, 2004 by the Adoptive Parents Committee (APC) for the role that CCAP has played in the successful implementation of the Child Citizenship Act. The "Friends of Adoption" award will be presented during the annual conference of APC, the oldest adoptive parent group in North America. Below are pictures from an October, 2004 celebration of the Child Citizenship Act Project held at the Buffalo District Office.
Maya Schenk's proud mother displays the Certificate of Citizenship presented during the celebration of the Child Citizenship Act Project held at the USCIS Buffalo District Office. Maya Schenk's proud mother displays the Certificate of Citizenship presented during the celebration of the Child Citizenship Act Project held at the USCIS Buffalo District Office.
USCIS Director Eduardo Aguirre congratulates USCIS Buffalo District Director Frances Holmes and Child Citizenship Act Project coordinator Karen Eckert for the successful implementation of the CCAP. USCIS Director Eduardo Aguirre congratulates USCIS Buffalo District Director Frances Holmes and Child Citizenship Act Project coordinator Karen Eckert for the successful implementation of the CCAP.
The excitement was high during the October 2004 celebration of the Child Citizenship Act Project held at the USCIS Buffalo District Office. The excitement was high during the October 2004 celebration of the Child Citizenship Act Project held at the USCIS Buffalo District Office.
Faces of America: Alexei and Dace Sultanov performed during Alexei's Naturalization Ceremony on November 9, 2004 in Fort Worth. Paralyzed by a stroke in 2001, Alexei became a United States Citizen and played "America the Beautiful" during the ceremony. As part of his naturalization ceremony, both Alexei's dream and promise were fulfilled. While buckled in his wheelchair, Alexei played, while Dace, his wife, joined him at the piano to play the left hand part.
Born in the former Soviet Union, Alexei Sultanov always dreamed of becoming a United States citizen. He and 600 other citizenship candidates took the Born in the former Soviet Union, Alexei Sultanov always dreamed of becoming a United States citizen. He and 600 other citizenship candidates took the "Oath of Allegiance" and became United States Citizens during a November, 2004 naturalization ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas.

What makes Alexei's story unique is the promise he fulfilled that day. A former gold medalist at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Alexei suffered a head injury and stroke during 2001, which left him without the use of his left side. Following the injury, Alexei not only renewed his vow to become an American - he also vowed to play the piano during his naturalization ceremony.

Active-Duty Service Members Representing All Branches of the U.S. Military Become Citizens
On November 3rd, 2004, thirty-nine active-duty service members representing all five branches of the U.S. military became citizens during a special military naturalization ceremony held on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. Joining the new citizens to celebrate the swearing in were USCIS Deputy Director Michael Petrucelli and Brigadier General William Cato, Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command. The new Americans hail from the 27 countries.
USCIS Deputy Director Michael Petrucelli (center) and Brigadier General William Catto, Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command, (left of Mr. Petrucelli) participated in a military naturalization ceremony held at Marine Corps Base Quantico (Va.) on November 3, 2004. USCIS Deputy Director Michael Petrucelli (center) and Brigadier General William Catto, Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command, (left of Mr. Petrucelli) participated in a military naturalization ceremony held at Marine Corps Base Quantico (Va).
Service members from all five branches of the United States Military became citizens during a special naturalization ceremony held at Marine Corps Base Quantico (Va.) on November 3, 2004. Service members from all five branches of the United States Military became citizens during a special naturalization ceremony held at Marine Corps Base Quantico (Va).
USCIS Deputy Director Michael Petrucelli is interviewed by WRC-TV (NBC Washington) correspondent Jane Watrel following the military naturalization ceremony held at Marine Corps Base Quantico (Va.) on November 3, 2004. USCIS Deputy Director Michael Petrucelli is interviewed by WRC-TV (NBC Washington) correspondent Jane Watrel following the military naturalization ceremony held at Marine Corps Base Quantico (Va).
 
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