Fifty area residents will take the Oath of Allegiance and become Arizona's newest U.S. citizens during a special ceremony at Burton Barr Central Library during the third USCIS naturalization ceremony at the library.

Members of the Phoenix Public Library Teen Council and teen volunteers organized and will participate in the event. A performance by teens titled, "Proud to be an American," will open the ceremony. Teens from the Phoenix Police Explorers will post the colors. The national anthem will be performed by the Phoenix Teen Cello Trio.

Robert J. Okin, USCIS district director, will preside over the official court proceedings. Joining Okin in welcoming the new citizens will be Assistant City Librarian Shera Farnham and guest speaker Catherine Anaya.

The 50 new U.S. citizens hail from the following 18 countries: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, People's Republic of China, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

During fiscal year 2006, USCIS welcomed more than 702,000 citizens during naturalization ceremonies across the United States, more than 9,700 in Arizona.

For more information about immigration services, the public should call 800-375-5283 or visit uscis.gov.

Editor's Note: Members of the media should sign in by 1:30 p.m. Please have your press identification and a business card to expedite check in. Candidates will arrive to begin registering at 1 p.m. Reporters who wish to do interviews are encouraged to do so prior to the ceremony.

USCIS officials

Phoenix Public Library officials

New citizens sharing their experiences

Library teen volunteers

1221 N. Central Ave.