The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana held a naturalization ceremony in which 18 petitioners became United States citizens. The Honorable Jane Triche Milazzo, U.S. District Judge, presided over the June 23 ceremony. She welcomed and invited attendees to stand for the playing of the National Anthem by the Marine Forces Reserve Band and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, led by representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution. The petitioners then introduced themselves and announced their countries of origin. Judge Milazzo then introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Jenny Mains, Special Advisor to Mayor Helena Moreno for International Partnerships. Dr. Mains welcomed the petitioners in each of their native languages and congratulated them on achieving their citizenship. In her remarks, she shared her story of moving to the U.S. from Honduras when she was six years old and told the new citizens their decision would not only benefit them, but their future generations as well. Judge Milazzo then invited Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Sears to issue the statement of petitioners’ eligibility for citizenship and present petitioners’ requests for name change. AUSA Sears then announced the names of the 18 new citizens. After granting the requests for name change, Judge Milazzo asked Deputy Clerk Gail Anderson to administer the Oath of Allegiance. Judge Milazzo then concluded the ceremony by encouraging the new citizens to become involved with their communities and cherish their new rights as Americans. The new citizens then received their certificates and took photos with their families. To view photos from the ceremony, please select this link.