LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Pres. Bill Clinton arrived at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock this week to welcome 40 new U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony.
The ceremony welcoming the new American citizens was in honor of President's Day, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) acting alongside the U.S. Court of the Eastern District of Arkansas to make the ceremony happen.
The naturalization ceremony happened on Wednesday as the two organizations welcomed Pres. Clinton, who delivered congratulatory remarks to the new U.S. citizens.
From Chile, to China, to Egypt — the 40 citizenship candidates originated from 21 different countries before arriving in the U.S.
Pres. Clinton addressed all 40 of the candidates and thanked them for their perseverance and emphasized that America is now "richer" because they are here.
"Thank you for bringing your talents, your hard work, your perseverance, and your dreams to the United States," Pres. Clinton said. "Our nation is now richer because you are part of it."
Pres. Clinton empathized with the difficulties of the 40 candidates leaving their homes and emphasized that it's not easy to "leave behind everything [they've] ever known to begin somewhere else."
But, Pres. Clinton said that this "leap of faith" is the very essence of what's shaped the republic of America from the very start — even acknowledging that seven out of the 39 people who signed the U.S. Constitution were actually immigrants themselves.
"Over the last two and a half centuries, people from every corner of the globe have come here," Pres. Clinton said. "Through their hard work and sacrifices, they have made America the greatest experiment in representative democracy."
Officials at the USCIS said that naturalization ceremonies are typically held at special venues like museums, schools, and libraries in order to "celebrate the conclusion of an immigrant’s journey to citizenship and honor their commitment."
"Special venues not only make these events meaningful for those who have chosen to participate in American democracy and dedicated themselves to the country’s future, but they also reflect the strength and spirit of the United States," USCIS officials said.