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For Planning Purposes
March 11, 2019
Contact:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575

MEDIA ADVISORY

Secretary of State Alex Padilla to Speak at Citizenship Ceremony in Fresno

FRESNO - Secretary of State Alex Padilla will deliver the keynote speech at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization ceremony at the Fresno Convention Center on Tuesday, March 12 at 10:00 a.m. Secretary Padilla will be speaking about the importance of civic participation and encouraging new citizens to register to vote.

Approximately 1,000 new citizens are expected to take the Oath of Allegiance at this ceremony.

Secretary Padilla is the son of immigrants who became naturalized U.S. Citizens. His parents emigrated from Mexico and raised their family in the working class community of Pacoima, California. His father worked as a short order cook and his mother cleaned houses. Padilla attended local public schools and went on to graduate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Padilla served as a Los Angeles City Council member from 1999 to 2006, including four and half years as Council President. He served as a California State Senator from 2006 to 2014, and was first elected as California Secretary of State in 2014. Padilla was sworn in for his second term as Secretary of State on January 7, 2019.

USCIS is asking new citizens and their families and friends to share the experience and photos at their ceremonies via Twitter using the hashtag #newUScitizen.

Media are welcome to cover this event, and to approach new citizens for interviews.

Who:

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla

When:

Tuesday, March 12, 2019
10:00 a.m.

Where:

Ernest Valdez Hall
Fresno Convention Center
700 M Street
Fresno, CA 93721

Note:

TV cameras should be set up by 9:30 a.m.
Please send an email to sos.press@sos.ca.gov to set up an interview with Secretary Padilla.

Contacts:

California Secretary of State:
Sam Mahood (916) 653-6575

USCIS:
Sharon Rummery
Office: (415) 248-8873; Cell: (415) 987-0191 

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