Although the federal government shutdown began on Tuesday, it is not impacting Friday’s planned naturalization ceremony. Rockland County Clerk Paul Piperato is proceeding with the scheduled swearing-in ceremony for 151 new citizens.
Piperato will administer the Oath of Allegiance to 151 new citizens from 35 countries during the 10 a.m. ceremony at North Rockland High School in Thiells.
Supreme Court Justice Thomas Walsh will officiate and the keynote speaker will be New York State Senator William Larkin. Organ transplant recipients will speak on behalf of the New York Organ Donor Network and members of North Rockland High School’s Chorus, Band and Orchestra will perform patriotic songs.
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Debbie Vobroucek of the county clerk's office said between 10 and 15 people called to confirm the naturalization ceremony was still taking place. She said the only change is that the Social Security Administration will not have representatives at the event assisting people because of the shutdown.
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