Group sworn in as U.S. citizens in Bellevue ceremony

by ALLISON DEANGELIS, Bellevue Reporter Staff writer Sep 7, 2016

Group sworn in as U.S. citizens in Bellevue ceremony, opens a new window

Twenty-two people became United State citizens Tuesday at the first naturalization ceremony held in a Bellevue library in at least a decade.

The Bellevue Library hosted oath-takers from nine countries Sept. 6, including Canada, China, Ethiopia, India, Russia, Sweden, Syria, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. It was the first ceremony the King County Library System has held in Bellevue in Debra Westwood's ten-year tenure, if ever, she said.

"Libraries are such a uniquly democratic institution. It's immensely gratifying to be here. Many new immigrants come to our libraries to study for tests and get information on becoming a citizen. Hosting them today really feels like we're closing the loop," she said. (Full article, opens a new window)