Shaheen Delivers Remarks at Naturalization Ceremony in Portsmouth and Congratulates New Citizens from 19 Different Countries

(Portsmouth, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) delivered remarks at a naturalization ceremony at the National Visa Center. She congratulated the 31 new citizens from 19 different countries and highlighted the importance of immigrants to the fabric of our nation. Photos from today’s event can be found here.

“The strength of America lies in the recognition that diversity makes our nation stronger,” said Senator Shaheen. “I was honored to be a part of today’s naturalization ceremony in Portsmouth, and I congratulate each and every new citizen on this momentous occasion. I also want to thank the staff at the National Visa Center here in Portsmouth for their dedication and hard work.”

Next month, the National Visa Center (NVC) will celebrate 30 years as part of the Portsmouth community. Senator Shaheen has been a champion of the NVC and its workforce, ensuring that it has proper staffing levels to process visas and provide jobs in the area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shaheen led efforts to avert a mass layoff at the NVC and National Passport Center.

As a result of those efforts, in the Fiscal Year 2021 government funding legislation, Shaheen successfully added a provision that would grant the State Department emergency transfer authority and $300 million to continue necessary passport and visa services for Americans—which directly impacts jobs at the National Passport Center (NPC) and the National Visa Center (NVC) in Portsmouth.

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