On September 16, 2022, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana naturalized 25 individuals originating from countries around the world.  The Honorable Ivan L. R. Lemelle, Senior U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana, presided over the ceremony.  Tulane University’s ROTC Color Guard presented the colors for the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Attorney Camilo Salas served as keynote speaker.  Ms. Salas, a native of Ecuador, recounted his own immigration and citizenship story, and emphasized the notion that with hard work and determination, anything is possible in the United States.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Adams, the U.S. Attorney General’s designee, certified the candidates’ eligibility for naturalization and announced the petitioners’ names, and Judge Lemelle administered the Oath of Allegiance to the naturalization candidates.  Judge Lemelle then encouraged the newly naturalized citizens to register to vote at a table staffed by volunteers from the New Orleans Chapter of the League of Women Voters and to apply for U.S. passports at a table staffed by officials from the U.S. Passport Office outside the Courtroom.  To view photographs from the ceremony, please select this link.