Aproximately 2,000 immigrants from at least 85 countries took the Oath of Allegiance and became United States Citizens at the two naturalization ceremonies held in Austin in 2008. This figure is in line with the national trend as the USCIS completed more than 1.17 million naturalization applications in Fiscal Year 2008, up more than 50 percent from the previous period.
The ceremonies are an effort by the Austin Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, the U.S. Court for the Western District of Texas and the USCIS to facilitate naturalization swearing-ins for applicants in Cental Texas. For over 20 years, Paul Parsons has worked with the Austin Chapter of the FBA to help organize these events. Mr. Parsons had the honor to deliver the welcoming remarks at both of the ceremonies in Austin in 2008.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, delivered the keynote address at the ceremony on May 23, 2008, the largest naturalization ceremony in the City of Austin’s history to date.
“It was an honor to welcome and congratulate 1,100 new U.S. citizens today," said Sen. Cornyn during his keynote address in May. "I commend these men and women for their patience and diligence, and for following the prescribed course to gaining U.S. citizenship. I am proud to call each of them fellow Americans. Texas was built by hard-working and ambitious immigrants who brought vitality and energy to our society. Today’s ceremony is confirmation that we remain a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws.”
The Law Offices of Paul Parsons welcomes these new citizens of the United States and we look forward to helping immigrants who choose to become United States citizens.
From Left to Right: Attorney Paul Parsons; Marc Knisely, Past President, Austin Chapter of the Federal Bar Association; Mrs. Sally Wieland; Richard Wieland, Past President, (national) Federal Bar Association, at Naturalization Ceremony in Austin, Texas on September 22, 2008.
