The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana held a naturalization ceremony in which 18 petitioners became United States citizens. The Honorable Jane Triche Milazzo, U.S. District Judge, presided over the June 23 ceremony. She welcomed and invited attendees to stand for the playing of the National Anthem by the Marine Forces Reserve Band and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, led by representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution. The petitioners then introduced themselves and announced their countries of origin. Judge Milazzo then introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Jenny Mains, Special Advisor to Mayor Helena Moreno for International Partnerships. Dr. Mains welcomed the petitioners in each of their native languages and congratulated them on achieving their citizenship. In her remarks, she shared her story of moving to the U.S. from Honduras when she was six years old and told the new citizens their decision would not only benefit them, but their future generations as well. Judge Milazzo then invited Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Sears to issue the statement of petitioners’ eligibility for citizenship and present petitioners’ requests for name change. AUSA Sears then announced the names of the 18 new citizens. After granting the requests for name change, Judge Milazzo asked Deputy Clerk Gail Anderson to administer the Oath of Allegiance. Judge Milazzo then concluded the ceremony by encouraging the new citizens to become involved with their communities and cherish their new rights as Americans. The new citizens then received their certificates and took photos with their families. To view photos from the ceremony, please select this link.

On April 14, 2026, the Eastern District of Louisiana judges welcomed judge Anna St. John as our newest colleague on the bench. Judge St. John proudly has purple and gold in her blood, having graduated from LSU. She then went on to obtain her Masters degree from Columbia Graduate School and her Law degree from Columbia Law School. After law school, Judge St. John clerked for the Honorable Rhesa Barksdale of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. She previously worked at Covington & Burling in Washington, DC and served as president and general counsel of the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute. The oath of office was administered by Judge Barksdale, who was joined by his wife, Claire, and Judge St. John was joined by her husband, Scott. We were also delighted to have the newest “junior” members of the bench, Judge St. John’s children, Charles, Elizabeth, Anna Douglas, and Jack, join in the celebration. Welcome Judge St. John.

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana held a naturalization ceremony in which 50 petitioners became United States citizens. The Honorable Lance M. Africk, U.S. District Judge, presided over the March 3 ceremony. He welcomed and invited everyone to stand for the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, led by representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Judge Africk then introduced the keynote speaker, recently appointed United States Attorney David Courcelle. He spoke of how he was born in Japan, his mother’s native country, on a U.S. Naval Base where his father was stationed. Courcelle recalled his mother’s own naturalization journey, and her tireless studies to learn U.S. civics and memorize the Pledge of Allegiance. She eventually did become a U.S. citizen and was naturalized in the very courthouse where he now tries cases as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Judge Africk then invited Assistant U.S. Attorney Renee Goudeau to issue the statement of petitioners’ eligibility for citizenship and present petitioners’ requests for name change. AUSA Goudeau then announced the names of the 50 new citizens. After granting the requests for name change, Judge Africk asked Deputy Clerk Bridget Gregory to administer the Oath of Allegiance. Judge Africk then concluded the ceremony by speaking of his own ancestors’ journeys to becoming American citizens and the pride he feels for them now that he serves as a U.S. District Judge. The new citizens then received their certificates and took photos with their families. To view photos from the ceremony, please select this link.

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana presents a Women's History Month Celebration and CLE on Wednesday, March 11, 3-5 p.m., in Courtroom 501 and via Zoom. There is no charge for this 2-hour CLE with reception to follow, but advance registration is required via the QR code above.