RMNP host citizenship ceremony

Alberto Molina, Saul Chihuan, and Saul's dad, Erasmo. Alberto and Erasmo used to work together and hadn't seen each other for about 20 years, until Aug. 11, when Alberto and Saul became U.S. citizens. Saul said, "It really is a small world."

Courtesy of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Fifty immigrants from 22 countries took the Oath of Allegiance and become U.S. citizens at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, in Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park.

Kristi Barrows, Denver District Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, administered the oath. Estes Park Mayor William C. "Bill" Pinkham and Vaughn Baker, Rocky Mountain National Park superintendent, both spoke at the ceremony.

Those from Longmont who took the oath were Helen Stone, originally from United Kingdom, who also celebrated her birthday on Aug. 11; Alberto Molina originally from Mexico, he works at Alpine Lumber; and Saul Chihuan, originally of Peru.

The 50 immigrants who participated are originally from Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, People's Republic of China, Finland, Germany, Haiti, Hungary, India, Iran, Mauritania, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Somalia, South Korea, Thailand, Ukraine and United Kingdom. Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is conferred upon foreign citizens or nationals after they fulfill the requirements established by Congress. Naturalized citizens enjoy nearly all the same benefits, rights and responsibilities that the Constitution gives to native-born U.S. citizens, including the right to vote. During fiscal year 2014, more than 654,949 immigrants were naturalized.

In addition to USCIS locations and national parks, ceremonies are held at high schools, libraries and other locations as requested. Some are held in conjunction with July 4, Citizenship Week and Veterans Day. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has a partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interiors National Park Service to enhance the meaning and stature of citizenship ceremonies. USCIS and NPS first signed the agreement in September 2006 to connect America's newest citizens to national parks throughout the country. View the park's 100th anniversary events or plan a trip of your own.

Attendees received a 100th anniversary button and passport that may be stamped when they visit parks.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov.