Carmel’s Center for the Performing Arts site of U.S. naturalization ceremony

Naturalization candidates take the Oath of Allegiance during a 2020 naturalization ceremony at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. (Photo courtesy Rob Slaven / Indy Ghost Light)

Inspiring event will stream live on Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo March 23

Approximately 80 Indiana residents from nations around the world will receive their U.S. citizenship Wednesday, March 23, when the Center for the Performing Arts plays host to its third naturalization ceremony at the Palladium.

For this stately but joyous and inspiring event, the concert hall will become a temporary venue of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, encompassing the southern two-thirds of the state. The presiding judge will administer the Oath of Allegiance to foreign-born individuals who have met all application criteria for citizenship, as identified by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The 1 p.m. ceremony will include remarks from the judge and from Center President/CEO Jeffrey C. McDermott, as well as music from the Indiana Wind Symphony, one of the Center’s Resident Companies.

Although attendance is limited to family and friends, the Center will provide a free livestream on its Center’s FacebookYouTube and Vimeo pages.

Becoming a U.S. citizen takes time and effort. In order to enjoy the rights and privileges of citizenship, among other criteria, applicants must:

  • Be lawful permanent residents (green card holders) at least 18 years of age;
  • Have resided in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least five years;
  • Be of good moral character;
  • Be able to speak, read, write and understand the English language;
  • Have knowledge of U.S. government and history and demonstrate attachment to the principles of the Constitution.