Today is Citizenship Day in the United States.
Boston celebrates Citizenship Day by highlighting the benefits of naturalization and the urgency of permanent immigration protection.
Photo of Danny Burke in Unsplash
On September 17, Citizenship Day in the U.S., organizations and authorities in Boston highlighted naturalization as key to stability for immigrants, encouraging them to complete applications and access rights such as voting, family reunification, passports, and better economic opportunities.
MOlA, in partnership with the National Association for New Americans (NPNA) and Cities & Counties for Citizenship (CC4C), promoted various activities as part of Citizenship Month, emphasizing that, in an increasingly uncertain political climate, naturalization offers security and permanence.
From the White House, President Donald Trump also sent a message to new citizens. In a commemorative letter, he recognized the courage of those who complete the naturalization process, but reiterated his firm stance on immigration enforcement. “American citizenship is an honor that must be protected with integrity. My administration will not allow sanctuary policies to undermine our national security,” he said in his statement.
While Boston and other cities promote integration through citizenship, the Trump administration continues its offensive against sanctuary jurisdictions, something that is particularly acute in Massachusetts following the ICE operations and the lawsuit against Mayor Michelle Wu.
Amid this backdrop, community leaders insist that naturalization not only guarantees legal protection but also strengthens democracy. “Now more than ever, we need those who qualify to take the step toward citizenship. It's the best defense against uncertainty,” said an NPNA spokesperson during the event in Boston.
A post shared by the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement (@bosimmigrants)
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