News

11/09/2007

July 25, 2007:  Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni will proudly administer the Oath of Citizenship to over one hundred new citizens at the Richard J. Daronco Courthouse in White Plains today.  The naturalization ceremony will mark the culmination of the process of applying for United States citizenship for those in attendance, many of whom will be joined by friends and family for the event.

“We have seen an increase in the number of legal immigrants who have been in the United States for many years applying for United States citizenship,” stated County Clerk Idoni whose office has seen the number of newly naturalized citizens in the first half of the year increase from 975 in 2006 to 1,198 in 2007.  “This 23% increase comes at a time when immigration legislation is being hotly debated on the national level, community support for illegal immigrants vigorously discussed on the local level, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is increasing fees for citizenship applicants,” continued Idoni.

But no matter what the reason, the Westchester County Clerk is thrilled to see more new citizens attending naturalization ceremonies at the Westchester County Courthouse.  “It is truly a joy to have the privilege of swearing in our newest citizens,” stated County Clerk Idoni.  “I am the grandson of Italian immigrants who came to America with their two children over one hundred years ago to find a safe and prosperous life here,” he shared.  “From the small village of Conatello in the province of Calabria in southern Italy, they sailed to this country with the hope of joining other immigrants who paved the way to a better life.  My grandparents had nine more children and the entire family grew to appreciate this country and the opportunities presented to them,” concluded Idoni.

The Office of the Westchester County Clerk is located at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in White Plains and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.  Naturalization ceremonies are held twice a month in the Richard J. Daronco Courthouse, 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in White Plains.