SEATTLE — Sixteen local immigrants were sworn in Tuesday at a naturalization ceremony at Waterfront Park in Seattle.
The ceremony was one of more than 316 ceremonies held nationwide between Sept. 13 and the 23rd, officials said.
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"The commemoration honors both the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and an observance that began in 1940 as "I Am an American Day," USCIS officals wrote in a news release.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said more than 34,300 new citizens are expected to be sworn in during that time.
Tuesday's ceremony in Seattle also comes as the nation observes Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
Citizenship Day began in 1952 based on a new law signed by President Harry Truman.
USCIS Seattle District Director Anne Corsano administer the Oath of Allegiance and the keynote speaker was Seattle Park and Recreation's Superintendent Jesús Aguirre.
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