JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Ninety-six north Florida residents will take the Oath of Allegiance and become U.S. citizens during halftime of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Dec. 14, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida said Thursday.
Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard will administer the naturalization ceremony at EverBank Stadium. The 96 candidates include seven families and come from 39 countries, court officials said.
The halftime ceremony continues a Jaguars tradition: the team was the first in the NFL to host a naturalization ceremony during a game, and this will be the eighth consecutive year the Jaguars have welcomed new citizens at halftime.
“These halftime naturalization ceremonies provide the court with a great opportunity to educate the public about the time, effort and perseverance needed to complete the process to become an American citizen,” Chief Judge Howard said. “The expressions of joy and pride on the faces of the new citizens when they complete their oath of allegiance is a powerful reminder of how lucky we are to be citizens of the United States of America.”
The court said it has also held naturalization ceremonies at area schools, a Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp game, the city’s World of Nations Celebration and other community venues to broaden public participation in the naturalization process.
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