Naturalization Ceremony Held in the Shreveport Division of the

U. S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana

On July 2, 2025, two important events happened at the Strand Theatre in the Shreveport Division of the United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana. On that day, a Naturalization Ceremony was held at the Strand making it one of the rare times the ceremony has been held somewhere other than the courthouse. Also on that day, and before the ceremony, the Strand was honored for its 100th anniversary with a proclamation read by Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux. The Victory Bells, a musical trio from New Orleans, performed patriotic songs before and during the ceremony.

The Strand was a beautiful backdrop for the Naturalization Ceremony as it was adorned with American flags on the stage and individual flags on the chairs for each petitioner. Forty-eight petitioners from 22 countries became United States citizens during the ceremony. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services certified each petitioner’s eligibility to become citizens prior to the ceremony. The ceremony was presided over by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr., who administered the oath of citizenship with assistance from Magistrate Judge David J. Ayo and Clerk of Court Daniel J. McCoy. Judge Hicks noted afterwards, “These are the happiest things I do as a federal district judge.”

The Daughters of the American Revolution, the Strand and the Court hosted a reception immediately following the ceremony. Both events were celebrated by friends and family of the new citizens along with the community.