A group of 27 Kentuckians from 20 different countries made their U.S. citizenship official in a one-of-a-kind ceremony held hundreds of feet underground in Mammoth Cave National Park. This special annual ceremony, in partnership with the National Park Service and U.S. Immigration Services, invites and introduces new citizens to their state’s National Parks system. This Mammoth Cave National Park naturalization ceremony is certainly an unforgettable experience for these Kentuckians.
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U.S. District Court Judge Greg Stivers presided over Thursday’s ceremony, which took place in a section of the cave called “The Methodist Church”. Stivers underscored America’s diverse history, emphasizing how immigrants have made up an integral part of this country since its founding.
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One participant, Wahlen Kanyandekwe, who came to the U.S. from Togo in West Africa eleven years ago, said he had been a permanent resident for some time but obtaining U.S. citizenship has given him a sense of relief.
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Friends and family, including Paul Wolf, whose wife became a U.S. citizen during the ceremony, trekked a quarter mile into the cavernous Mammoth Cave system, which spans over 600 miles of underground passages, lakes, and rivers, making it the largest cave system in the world.
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Becoming a U.S. citizen is a rigorous ten-step naturalization process that involves written applications, tests, and personal interviews. Each individual must meet eligibility requirements and the process is voluntary.
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Molly Schroer, Public Affairs officer for Mammoth Cave, said the event is a unique way to mark the new citizens’ extraordinary journey. By holding the Mammoth Cave National Park naturalization ceremony in such a magnificent setting, it creates a special moment that connects them to the history and culture of their adopted nation.
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