More than 300 people took the final step to become U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony presented by the U.S. District Court and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Aug. 24 at the St. Louis Park Recreation Outdoor Center (ROC). St. Louis Park Mayor Jake Spano welcomed these newest citizens from 62 countries around the world, along with their many guests.

“We hosted a similar ceremony in 2017 in this same building, and I’ve said many times since then. It was one of the most moving and powerful events I’ve witnessed as mayor,” Mayor Spano told the crowd. “To see all of you here from nations around the globe, choosing to join your neighbors in our American experiment, is really inspirational.”

U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Leo I. Brisbois presided over the naturalization ceremony and administered the Oath of Allegiance followed by congratulatory remarks. New citizens then received their Certificates of Naturalization.