First Naturalization Ceremony at Eisenhower Library: 32 New Citizens

(ABILENE, KANSAS) The Eisenhower Presidential Library hosted its first-ever naturalization ceremony on September 17, 2025, bringing together families, military service members, and local civic groups to witness 32 new citizens from 22 different countries take the Oath of Allegiance. The event, timed to coincide with Constitution Day, marked a new chapter for an institution best known for preserving the legacy of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Organizers said the setting—inside the library’s indoor courtyard with overflow seating in the auditorium and a livestream for remote viewers—was designed to welcome the community while keeping the focus on the people becoming Americans.

Ceremony highlights and participants

The naturalization ceremony was presided over by the Honorable John W. Lungstrum, U.S. District Court Judge for Kansas, whose courtroom authority gave the moment its legal force. Kansas emerging artist Dallas Pryor delivered the National Anthem.

Reflections came from Mary Jean Eisenhower, the president’s granddaughter, who spoke about her family’s connection to public service, and Todd Arrington, Director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, who thanked the applicants and their families for their commitment to civic life.

At the close, each new citizen received a full-size American flag, a gift from The Eisenhower Foundation, underscoring the solemn passage from permanent resident to citizen.

Several of the new Americans are active-duty U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Fort Riley, home of the 1st Infantry Division. Their inclusion highlighted the long-standing path to citizenship for service members who meet eligibility requirements and choose to formalize their ties to the United States 🇺🇸.

Local patriotic and civic organizations provided event support and practical help for attendees, including:
– Abilene Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
– Kansas Sons of the American Revolution
– Konza Prairie Sons of the American Revolution
– League of Women Voters – Salina

The setting and community support aimed to make the ceremony both legally formal and personally meaningful for families and service members alike.

Historic first on Constitution Day

Holding the first naturalization ceremony in the Eisenhower Presidential Library reflects a broader shift as historic sites take on more active roles in civic education. Constitution Day, observed each September 17, honors the signing of the U.S. Constitution and served as a meaningful backdrop for welcoming new citizens.

Library leaders said the date emphasized both the rights gained and the duties embraced at the moment of naturalization. It also tied the institution’s history-rich mission to a living expression of American democracy.

According to staff, the decision to host a ceremony answered local demand and aligned with the library’s outreach goals. The setting allowed the public to see the final step in the naturalization journey: the oath that transforms applicants into citizens.

The personal stories—parents holding toddlers, soldiers in uniform, spouses smiling through tears—brought emotion to a process often discussed only in policy terms. As Mary Jean Eisenhower noted, a room full of new citizens carries the same civic energy her grandfather cherished when he spoke about duty and service.

The ceremony’s livestream allowed far-flung relatives to share the moment, a practical addition in a region where family members may be posted with the military or live across state lines. Organizers plan to make recordings available so new citizens can revisit the moment they joined the national community.

National context and trends

This ceremony fits into a national context where naturalization numbers have been robust.

Key national figures:
– Fiscal year 2024: 818,500 people took the oath nationwide
– Applications approved (2024): more than 816,000
– Approval rate (2024): above 89%
– Top countries of birth included Mexico, India, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, and Vietnam

VisaVerge.com reports that denials declined across 2024, a trend tied to improved case preparation and more consistent decision-making by officers.

Policy priorities under President Biden have included clearing backlogs and reducing avoidable delays, which community groups say has helped keep momentum going. While broader immigration debates remain heated, the final step to citizenship continues to bring communities together—as seen in Abilene.

Pathway to citizenship — the general process

For applicants in Kansas and beyond, the legal path remains the same. The general process includes:

1. Meeting eligibility rules on age, lawful permanent residence, continuous residence, good moral character, and basic English and civics knowledge.
2. Filing Form N-400 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Applicants can file online or by mail and pay the filing fee unless they qualify for a waiver. You can review and file the application here: Form N-400.
3. Attending a biometrics appointment for fingerprints and background checks.
4. Completing an interview with a USCIS officer and taking the English and civics tests, with exemptions or accommodations for some applicants based on age or disability.
5. Receiving a decision—approval, continuance for more evidence, or denial.
6. Taking the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony, the step that confers citizenship.

What new citizens gain and must do:
– Rights: vote in federal, state, and local elections; apply for certain federal jobs; run for many public offices; sponsor relatives under family immigration categories; obtain a U.S. passport.
– Duties: may be called for jury service and are expected to support the Constitution and laws of the country.

Ceremony hosts in Abilene encouraged the 32 new citizens to register to vote, join local groups, and stay involved in their neighborhoods.

Practical impacts for individuals and families

The change from resident to citizen can have immediate, practical effects:
– A mother who becomes a citizen may be able to file new petitions for close relatives.
– A soldier who naturalizes can take roles open only to citizens.
– A student who takes the oath can apply for internships requiring security clearances.

Local support organizations at the Eisenhower Presidential Library offered guidance on next steps, including voter registration and learning about public service opportunities. Their presence underscored a shared message: citizenship is not only status; it is daily participation.

Leaders called the full-size American flag presented to each new citizen a symbol of that commitment—something to take home, display with pride, and pass to the next generation.

Significance for the library and the community

Community members who watched the ceremony said the setting mattered. A presidential library, with artifacts from a five-star general who later became commander-in-chief, carries weight. The walls and displays tell a national story; the stage in the courtyard added the next chapter by welcoming new Americans.

For the library’s director, the event brought a special kind of relevance to a place that tells the story of a president who led Allied forces to victory and later steered the country through growth. Bringing a naturalization ceremony to a presidential library blends public history with public life and sends a clear message: the Constitution is not only a document on display; it is a living framework that welcomes new participants.

Looking ahead, ceremonies at historic sites like the Eisenhower Presidential Library may appear more often as cultural institutions link their missions to civics. USCIS has encouraged outreach and continued to improve scheduling and support services. Advocates say keeping ceremonies close to where applicants live helps families attend and makes the moment feel rooted in the community.

Policy shifts—on asylum, work visas, and border enforcement—can affect who applies for permanent residence and when they become eligible to naturalize. But the core path to citizenship, anchored in the interview, test, and oath, remains steady.

For the 32 new citizens in Abilene, the day brought closure to years of work and patience: study sessions for the civics exam, practice for the English test, paperwork, and repeated checks of case status. The applause that filled the courtyard was for all of that effort.

In that moment, the Eisenhower Presidential Library became something more than a museum. It became a place where American history welcomed new authors.

As the crowd filtered out, library staff said they were proud to make space for a life-changing rite. Those who took the oath carried flags, certificates, and phone photos of the stage. They also carried the legal rights and duties of citizenship that begin immediately after the judge pronounces them approved.