On January 4, 2024, the Honorable Greg G. Guidry, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana, presided over a naturalization ceremony in which 27 petitioners became United States citizens. The Daughters of the American Revolution led the Pledge of Allegiance. U.S. Magistrate Judge Janis van Meerveld, a naturalized citizen, served as Keynote Speaker. In her remarks, she discussed her family history and journey to becoming a U.S. Citizen. She also thanked the petitioners for choosing to become citizens and encouraged them to and participate in all aspects of civic life as new citizens. EDLA Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Chickering served as the Attorney General’s designee and certified the petitioners’ eligibility for citizenship. Judge Guidry then invited the petitioners to stand and announce their names and countries of origin, after which Case Manager Dedra Pongracz administered the Oath of Allegiance. Judge Guidry then made concluding remarks and invited our newest citizens to register to vote at a table staffed by volunteers from Engaging New Voices and Voters. To view photos from the ceremony, please select this link.
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News & Announcements: 2024-02
Check this page, or the News and Announcements box on the homepage, for the latest official news and announcements released by the court. You can also access archived news and announcements from this page.
February 15, 2024
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana presents an African American History Month Celebration entitled, "We See You: Remembering and Acknowledging Lost, Erased, and Ignored Communities of Color in Louisiana,” on Thursday, February 29, noon-2 pm, in Courtroom 501 and by Zoom.
There is no charge for this 2-hour CLE with lunch provided to in-person attendees, but advance registration is required at https://forms.office.com/g/M71eNzAKYM.
Please see the Eastern District of Louisiana website, www.laed.uscourts.gov, for additional information and for updates.
February 7, 2024
On November 2, 2023, the Honorable Wendy B. Vitter, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana, presided over a naturalization ceremony in which 31 petitioners became United States citizens. The Daughters of the American Revolution led the Pledge of Allegiance. Attorney José Cot, a naturalized citizen, served as Keynote Speaker. In his remarks, he encouraged the petitioners to register to vote and participate in civic life of the United States and all it has to offer. EDLA Assistant U.S. Attorney Mimi Nguyen served as the Attorney General’s designee and certified the petitioners’ eligibility for citizenship. Judge Vitter then administered the Oath of Allegiance, handed out certificates, and took pictures with our country’s newest citizens. To view photos from the ceremony, please select this link.