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WASHINGTON — On Sept. 17, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day as part of Constitution Week (Sept. 17 to 23). The commemoration honors both the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day.” Citizenship Day began in 1952, signed into law by President Harry Truman and, in 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed the first Constitution Week.
“We continue to work in communities to raise awareness about citizenship in line with our mission to uphold America’s promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect, and Constitution Week provides the opportunity to highlight this mission,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “We are committed to removing barriers to immigration benefits and ensuring that we operate fairly and efficiently.”
Each year, USCIS celebrates Constitution Week by celebrating the connection between the Constitution and citizenship, reflecting on what it means to be a citizen of the United States and holding special naturalization ceremonies across the country. The Constitution plays a meaningful role in the lives of all Americans, but particularly for those who are Americans by choice. The Constitution not only establishes the rule of law, but it also creates the framework for an immigration system that enables immigrants to become citizens.
As part of Constitution Week, USCIS will welcome more than 17,000 new citizens in over 400 naturalization ceremonies across the nation from Sept. 14-23. Among the special naturalization ceremonies taking place is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation event on Sept. 17, where USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou will administer the Oath of Allegiance. For additional venues, please view a list of highlighted 2024 Constitution Week themed ceremonies.
USCIS is committed to educating underserved or vulnerable populations about the benefits and opportunities of citizenship, and about the naturalization process. New U.S. citizens invigorate and contribute to their adopted country, and USCIS encourages eligible immigrants to naturalize. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, we have taken steps to support the implementation of Executive Order 14012: Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans, including the USCIS Ambassador Initiative in which USCIS collaborates with immigrant community leaders.
The 2024 Constitution Week caps a year of notable accomplishments for USCIS in promoting citizenship and upholding our mission by making the naturalization process accessible to all who are eligible, including:
- Decreasing the naturalization backlog by 60 percent and returned to processing times under six months. Learn more about backlog reduction on our immigration data page.
- Issuing a new edition of the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, with new features:
- Clarifying guidance about the application of confidentiality protections following naturalization; and
For more information about USCIS’ Constitution Day and Citizenship Day activities, please see the USCIS Celebrates Constitution Day and Citizenship Day 2024 Fact Sheet (PDF, 5.23 MB).
Eligible lawful permanent residents go through a comprehensive, multi-step process to become U.S. citizens. The final step in the naturalization process is the most important one, the Oath of Allegiance.
To help applicants prepare to become U.S. citizens, USCIS provides study materials and resources, including a mobile app, USCIS: Civics Test Study Tools, which is currently available in the Apple App and Google Play Store. To find it, search for “USCIS civics test” or “USCIS.” In addition to being the only official USCIS Civics Test application, the app keeps old practice tests for review, has a game to challenge users’ civics knowledge, and lists all 100 questions and answers that could be asked in the actual civics test. Applicants can also access a civics practice test on the Citizenship Resource Center.
Following each naturalization ceremony, we encourage new U.S. citizens and their families and friends to share their naturalization photos on social media using the hashtags #NewUSCitizen, #ConstitutionWeek, and #WeThePeople.
For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on X (formerly Twitter)Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
This article is provided as an educational service and is not legal advice. Consult with an attorney for your specific circumstances. For a comprehensive evaluation of your immigration situation and options, you are invited to call us at 214-494-8033, text us using our chat box, or complete our contact form.
