Past EventsThe Naturalization Ceremony
Friday September 23, 2011
3pm – 5pm at the University of Bridgeport Merten's Theater.
For information on becoming a sponsor for future events, please contact Constance at cvickers@iiconn.org.
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April 14, 2011 – Immigrant Day at the State Capital. Join the IIC and other members of the Connecticut Immigrant and Refugee Coalition (CIRC) to celebrate the 14th Annual CT Immigrant Day at the State Capitol. CT Immigrant Day honors twenty naturalized citizens and students who are recognized for their outstanding contributions to their profession and communities.
The annual auction gala is the International Institute’s primary fundraiser, held each year in the fall. Last year, the IIC celebrated “America’s Tapestry,” featuring key note address by Assistant US Attorney Krishna Patel. The night was a great success, with a net gain of $25,000. Many thanks to our numerous contributors and corporate sponsors, including People’s Bank, GE, Town Fair Tire, Jane & Phil Norgren, and Peter & Lynn Penzcer.
Each year, the IIC partners with the Hartford USCIS office (formerly known as INS) to co-host a mass naturalization ceremony. Naturalization is the process by which a person becomes a US Citizen when they are not born in the US and/or not born to parents of US Citizens. This swearing in ceremony, presided over by United States Magistrate Judge Holly Fitzsimmons, symbolizes the American dream and the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
It is not easy to become naturalized and the benefits are countless. The event is unique to the IIC – we are the only group to facilitate this event and it is the largest mass naturalization ceremony in the state. People are typically naturalized in small groups at a federal court. At this event, the Fairfield University auditorium is “transformed” into an official court, and approximately 250 individuals from all over the world are sworn in. In addition to key note speakers, which often include the Secretary of State and other well-known public figures, there is a musical performance and a color guard presentation.
This event is free to the public and is a wonderful display of the hard work and dedication that many of Connecticut’s resident’s put forth in order to achieve the American Dream. If you haven’t yet attended this event, we encourage you to do so!
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees, (UNHCR) has declared June 20th of each year as World Refugee Day. The purpose of this holiday is to "remember the millions of forcibly displaced and stateless people under our care who are struggling with their day-to-day lives." So, In light of this holiday, the IIC hosted a picnic on June 18th in which all staff and clients are invited to spend the day mingling while sampling the native foods of our clients, as we honor the courage of those families that we are committed to serving on a daily basis.