The Schenectady County Clerk, in partnership with the New York State Office of Court Administration and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services held a Naturalization Ceremony at the historic Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction.
Schenectady County previously hosted 2 drive-thru events at SUNY Schenectady in September of 2020, which was the first drive-thru Naturalization Ceremony in New York State, and in April of 2021.
“We are so grateful to the Mabee Farm for hosting our first seated, in-person Naturalization Ceremony since February of 2020” said Schenectady County Clerk Cara M. Ackerley. “This picturesque venue, with a long history in our community, is a fitting place to add the names of our newest U.S. citizens to the long list of immigrants who have shaped the history of our country and community.”
“Schenectady has long welcomed people from across the globe to make their home here, and we're honored to play a part in continuing that tradition,” said Mary Zawacki, Executive Director of the Schenectady County Historical Society. “We congratulate these new American citizens on their naturalization, and are excited to see how they create their own stories in Schenectady’s cultural and urban landscapes.”
The ceremony started around 9:30am this morning and 30 applicants from 17 countries took part in the event.
The Honorable Judge Christine Clark presided over the ceremony, which is an official session of the New York State Supreme Court. County Clerk Cara M. Ackerley administered the Oath of Allegiance to the applicants.