Clad in costumes, children receive U.S. citizenship during Halloween-themed ceremony
Clad in an astronaut costume John Vu, 11, of Vietnam waves an American flag during a Halloween-themed USCIS citizenship ceremony for 25 children at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana on Monday, October 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
It was a heartwarming and spirited occasion as 25 children received their citizenship during a Halloween-themed ceremony Monday morning.
The event, held at the Santa Ana Zoo on Oct. 30, was a celebration for these young individuals, ages 2-13 years old, as they received their certificates in a setting infused with the spirit of Halloween. Many of the kids, as well as the officers conducting the ceremony, donned creative costumes for the occasion.
Seba Alnsour, 7, who is from Jordan, holds her American flag during a Halloween-themed USCIS citizenship ceremony for 25 children at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana on Monday, October 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Una Kurtic, 10, of Bosnia and Herzegovina, center, flashes a peace sign during a group photo at the conclusion of a Halloween-themed USCIS citizenship ceremony for 25 children at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana on Monday, October 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A family takes a selfie during a Halloween-themed USCIS citizenship ceremony for 25 children at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana on Monday, October 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Parents and other family members, bottom, take photos of 25 children along with Rep. Katie Porter and Trung Vo, field office director, USCIS following a Halloween-themed USCIS citizenship ceremony at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana on Monday, October 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Kurtic family of Bosnia and Herzegovina, from left, Elvis, Alina, 4, Alan, 7, Erna, and Una, 10, place their hands over their hearts during the National Anthem during a Halloween-themed USCIS citizenship ceremony for 25 children at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana on Monday, October 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Niousha Nozari, 9, of Iran, waves an American flag during a Halloween-themed USCIS citizenship ceremony for 25 children at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana on Monday, October 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kiryl Filipenka, 11, of Belarus looks over his American flag during a Halloween-themed USCIS citizenship ceremony for 25 children at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana on Monday, October 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Clad in an astronaut costume John Vu, 11, of Vietnam waves an American flag during a Halloween-themed USCIS citizenship ceremony for 25 children at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana on Monday, October 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Rep. Katie Porter, at podium, speaks during a Halloween-themed USCIS citizenship ceremony for 25 children at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana on Monday, October 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Trung Vo, field office director, USCIS speaks during a Halloween-themed USCIS citizenship ceremony for 25 children at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana on Monday, October 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Rep. Katie Porter speaks during a Halloween-themed USCIS citizenship ceremony for 25 children at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana on Monday, October 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Eleven-year-old John Vu from Vietnam, who was dressed as an astronaut, waved his American flag as he repeated: “I am so excited.” His mother, Vivian Le, beamed at him with excitement.
The ceremony recognized children who have obtained their U.S. citizenship by adoption or through their parents who already underwent the naturalization process.
Some of the countries that were represented at the ceremony included China, Mexico, Belarus, Vietnam and Iran.
“Our nation has always been a beacon of hope, where dreams become reality,” said Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, who spoke during the event. “Today we not only recognize your individual journeys to citizenship, but we celebrate the very essence of our nation’s strength and diversity.”
“The United States is a nation of immigrants, and this ceremony is a representation of that,” she said.
Following the oath of allegiance and congratulatory remarks, the children’s names were called out, and they approached the podium to receive their citizenship certificates.
The zoo’s amphitheater echoed with applause and cheers as each child walked off the stage as official citizens, and they were given Halloween-themed treat bags filled with candy and small toys.
Sheila Mahmoudi, deputy director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, was dressed as Batman Monday — and she said the costumes created an easier connection between her and the kids.
“It is so exciting. I am really happy to see all of this,” said Mahmoudi. “In the past, when I would be in my suit, I think that it could be a bit more intimidating. But now, the kids see me as Batman and say, ‘Oh, I want to come up,’ and I love it. I am glad to get to connect with them on Halloween in this way.”
After the event, the children and their parents were welcomed to tour the zoo to complete the celebration alongside many members of USCIS.
In 2022, about 967,500 new citizens were welcomed by USCIS, a 20% increase from 2021 and the highest number of naturalizations seen since 2008, according to stats from the Department of Homeland Security agency.
