U.S. and Alaskan flags displayed next to a wall bearing the seal of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the field office sign of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Photo by Murat Demir.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services held a celebration on June 25 for the opening of a new field office in the James M. Fitzgerald U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Anchorage. The celebration ended with citizenship candidates becoming U.S. citizens.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services – also known as the USCIS – Office of Public Affairs, the new field office is primarily responsible for matters related to naturalization and adjustment of green card status.
A symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony and presentation of “Old Glory” took place before Bear Dolbeare was sworn in as director of the new field office.
Speakers from various positions within the USCIS spoke about the significance of opening the new field office.
Deputy associate director for field operations Anna Chau was the first keynote speaker during the ceremony.
“The opening of this new field office exemplifies USCIS's growing mission and symbolizes the evolution and innovation within the organization,” said Chau.
She said the Anchorage Field Office is one of USCIS’s smallest-sized locations.
“Fully staffed with 14 very dedicated employees — a small, but a very, very mighty team,” said Chau.
Deputy chief administrative officer of USCIS Joanne Jurmu could not attend the ceremony due to travel complications, but provided a written statement that was read to the audience during the ceremony.
In her statement, Jurmu congratulated the Anchorage Field Office staff for their efforts in establishing the new location and mentioned the nearly decade-long planning and construction process.
She mentioned the challenges the Anchorage Field Office staff faced during the process, including supply chain issues and delays, then praised their patience and hard work throughout the establishment of the new location.
Following the guest speakers and ceremony, the grand opening ended with a group of citizenship candidates from 10 different countries taking the Oath of Allegiance and becoming U.S. citizens.
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