(b)     U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet (Form M-771).

(1) Contents. To standardize the experience at naturalization ceremonies, USCIS created Form M-771, U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet, for distribution to every naturalization cnadidate participating in an administrative ceremony in the United States.¹ Form M-771 is prepared for delivery at the Eastern Forms Center and contains the following items:

(A) President's Congratulatory Letter and Envelope;
(B) Form M-76, The Citizen's Almanac;
(C) Form M-654, Pocket-size Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States;
(D) Department of State Form DS-11, Passport Application;
(E) Form M-767, Important Information for New Citizens;
(F) Form M-789, Oath of Allegiance/The Star Spangled Banner/Pledge of Allegiance Flier;
(G) Certificate Holder; and
(H) A Voter's Guide to Federal Elections.

Form M-771, U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet will be distributed either during the check-in process or after the ceremony program to each person being naturalized. Form M-771 can be distributed before the naturalization candidate has been administered the Oath of Allegiance but only after a USCIS Officer has determined that the applicant is eligible to take the Oath of Allegiance on the day of the ceremony. Because Form M-771 contains information for naturalized citizens, USCIS employees must:

• Make a statement that an applicant does not become a citizen of the United States until he or she takes the Oath of Allegiance, regardless of the contents of the packet, whenever distributed;
• Make a general statement about the contents of Form M-771; and
• Answer the candidates' naturalization-related questions.

Form M-771 includes the official congratulatory letter of the President of the United States. That letter is the only congratulatory letter USCIS distributes nationwide at naturalization ceremonies. See Memorandum: Universal Distribution of President's Letter, dated January 10, 2002.

If the U.S. flag is distributed, it should be distributed exclusively to naturalization candidates. Field leadership will determine, in consultation with the USCIS Chief Counsel's Ethics Office, whether materials and publications outside of the U.S. flag and the contents of Form M-771 are appropriate for distribution. Partisan publications, publications referencing a specific political group, and materials that contain commercial or religious solicitation or promotion of any kind must never be distributed to new citizens. Other governmental entities and non-govermental entities must not distribute their materials and publications until after the USCIS official has concluded the administrative naturalization ceremony and has released the new citizens; Field Leadership will determine, in consultation with the USCIS Chief Counsel's Ethic Office, whether outside organization's materials are appropriate for distributions.

(2) Ordering Procedures. The Eastern Forms Center (EFC) will assemble the U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet, Form M-771, and distribute it based on requests from individual offices. Field offices requesting Form M-771 should submit Form G-1178, Request for Form M-771, U.S. Citizen Welcome Packet (see Appendix 75-5) to the EFC and provide the following information:

(A) Name of requestor;
(B) Title of requestor;
(C) Telephone number;
(D) Name of Field Office;
(E) Field Office address;
(F) Delivery address (please indicate if this address is different from the office address);
(G) Point of contact at the receiving location (name and telephone number);
(H) Requested delivery date:
(I) Requested items (Form M-771); and
(J) Quantity.

Field Offices will submit Form G-1178 to order the Form M-771, U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet. Form G-1178 must be submitted to the EFC via email (natzpak.request@dhs.gov) or fax (802-951-6220). Form G-1178 is available electronically at http://dhsconnect.dhs.gov/uscis/org/MGMT/IDP/FCENTER/Pages/default.aspx. Select "Natzpak Order Form" from the left column.

Following the instructions on Form G-1178, the EFC may send the requested supply of Form M-771 to the USCIS Field Office or, alternatively, to the venue of the naturalization ceremony. If selecting delivery to an alternate location, the USCIS Field Office must coordinate with the alternate location to ensure an individual will take responsibility for and secure the delivery from the USCIS-contracted delivery service.

The requesting office must place its order for Form M-771 to the EFC at least three weeks before the ceremony date to guarantee a timely delivery. Although the EFC will process all orders placed, it cannot guarantee timely delivery for any order placed less than three weeks prior to the ceremony.

(c) Ceremony Check-In Process. USCIS Officers will perform the ceremony check-in process before the start of the ceremony program. The USCIS Officer will review the responses on each naturalization candidate's Form N-445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony, and update responses as necessary. Once each candidate's eligibility for naturalization is verified, the USCIS Officer will collect from each candidate any and all USCIS-issued travel documents and lawful permanent resident cards.

(d) Ceremony Program. To standardize the naturalization ceremony experience, unless exempted, USCIS offices will implement steps (1) through (10) in all administrative ceremonies. USCIS offices are exempt from implementing the ceremony program when conducting a home visit, or an expedited administative naturalization ceremony. (Field Offices may also enhance the ceremony program with additional appropriate elements, e.g., with a rendition of "America the Beautiful." Any questions about the appropriateness of additional content should be elevated through the chain of command within the Field Operations Directorate.)

(1) Play Faces of America. This segment is found in the USCIS Naturalization Ceremony Video.

(2) Play the National Anthem. The Star Spangled Banner, instrumental or vocal version from the USCIS Naturalization Ceremony Video. USCIS offices may incorporate a live performance as an alternative to the version on the video.

(3) Provide opening/welcome remarks. The Master of Ceremonies provides the opening/welcoming remarks for the ceremony. Remarks include, but are not limited to, an introduction of ceremony principals and an overview of the ceremony program.

(4) Announce the "call of countries." The designated official reads aloud the list of countries represented by the birthplaces of the naturalization candidates.

(5) Administer the Oath of Allegiance to the naturalization candidates. See Adjudicator's Field Manual Chapter 75, The Oath Ceremony, section 75.2(a), Authority to Administer the Oath.

(6) Provide keynote remarks. Field Leadership or a guest speaker provides keynote remarks. Keynote remarks must be politically neutral and may include, but are not limited to, the privileges, responsibilities, and importance of United States citizenship; the importance of civic principles within the United States government; the significance of swearing allegiance to the United States; and the theme of the ceremony.

(7) Play Presidential Congratulatory Remarks. This segment is found in the USCIS Naturalization Ceremony Video.

(8) Recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

(9) Provide concluding remarks. The Master of Ceremonies or Field Leadership provides concluding remarks. Concluding remarks may include, but are not limited to, expressing appreciation to those family and friends in attendance, acknowledging the achievement of the naturalized citizens, announcing the services of those governmental and non-governmental entities in attendance, and explaining the distribution method for the certificates of naturalization.

(10) Present the Certificate of Naturalization, Form N-550. Field leadership and staff present the certificates of naturalization to the naturalized U.S. citizens.

(e) Guidance Concerning Guest Speakers at Naturalization Ceremonies. USCIS welcomes participation from distinguished community members. Field Leadership of the USCIS office conducting the ceremony must review the qualifications of any potential guest speaker who is not a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employee and approve of his or her role in the program before he or she speaks at an administrative naturalization ceremony. If USCIS Headquarters selects an individual to be a guest speaker at a USCIS Field Office's administrative naturalization ceremony, USCIS Headquarters will review the individual's qualifications before making the recommendation. A guest speaker may be a civic, governmental, or military leader, a Member of Congress, a judge, a DHS official, or person whom USCIS's leadership deems appropriate for the occasion.

It is the responsibility of Field Leadership of the USCIS office conducting the administrative naturalization ceremony to preserve the solemnity and dignity of the occasion. When the guest speaker is selected and scheduled, Field Leadership must send to the speaker written notice (see Appendix 75-6) describing USCIS's expectations that:

• Appropriate remarks will focus on the privileges, responsibilities, and importance of U.S. citizenship; the civic principles within the U.S. Government; the significance of swearing allegiance to the United States; or the theme of the ceremony.
• Inappropriate remarks, including political (partisan or otherwise), commercial, or religious statements, are not permitted.

If a guest speaker makes inappropriate remarks during an administrative naturalization ceremony, Field Leadership should inform the speaker and elevate the issue up the Field Leadership chain. if the guest speaker does not indicate a willingness to modify his or her remarks in the future, Field Leadership should not accept requests from this individual to speak at future administrative naturalization ceremonies.

USCIS must uphold the integrity of each administrative naturalization ceremony and ensure that it is a politically neutral event. The presence of candidates for public office at a naturalization ceremony may create a perception inconsistent with USCIS's obligation of neutrality. Accordingly, candidates for public office generally may not speak at or participate in an administrative naturalization ceremony within the three months before an election for that office, including both primary and general elections. For example, if the state primary elections are on February 7, 2012, a candidate for public office standing in those primary elections may not be a guest speaker or have another formal participatory role any time between November 7, 2012 and February 7, 2012. The three-month rule does not apply to the President or Vice President of the United States. In addition, in exceptional circumstances, the USCIS Chief Counsel's Ethics Office may authorize exceptions to the three-month rule if the candidate's participation, subject to any appropriate conditions, would not unduly compromise the ceremony's political neutrality and would serve both USCIS's and the ceremony's best interests. If any additional questions arise related to the three-month rule, Field Leadership should contact their designated Ethics Officer.

(f) Guidance Concerning Voter Registration at Naturalization Ceremonies. The ability to vote in federal elections is both a right and responsibility that comes with U.S. citizenship. All newly naturalized citizens will have the opportunity to receive a voter registration application at administrative naturalization ceremonies. The mechanism for distribution may vary by ceremony location, but in every case must take place only after the conclusion of the ceremony. The options for distribution of voter registration applications are (in preferential order):

• State or local government election offices may distribute and collect voter registration applications;
• Non-governmental organizations may distribute and collect voter registration applications (if qualified and approved according to the criteria identified below); or
• USCIS field offices will provide voter registration applications to all new citizens.

In-person voter registration by the state or local election office is the optimal mechanism for distribution. If state or local election officials are unable to participate, all interested non-governmental groups may seek the privilege of offering voter registration services at the conclusion of administrative naturalization ceremonies. Field Leadership must consider requests from all interested organizations seeking to participate in the ceremony. Field Leadership must offer equal, non-preferential opportunities to all qualified and approved non-governmental organizations.

To qualify, non-govermental organizations must be both non-profit and non-partisan. Organizations must be deemed qualified by USCIS Field Leadership. Field Leadership will grant approvals in writing only after consultation with the USCIS Office of Chief Counsel's Ethics Office. Approval may be granted on a one-time or standing basis, but may be removed at any time if the participation requirements set forth below are not met.

When it is determined that an organization is qualified to participate in voter registration services at an administrative naturalization ceremony, Field Leadership will send the organization a letter, listing the following participation requirements. (See Appendix 75-7).

While participating, non-governmental organizations and their representatives:

• Must not participate in any political activity, partisan or otherwise, while participating in voter registration activities during administrative naturalization ceremonies, regardless of whether the ceremonies take place on federal or non-federal property. (Political activity includes activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group. For this purpose, political activity also includes advocacy for particular referenda or other political propositions. For example, a non-governmental group participating in voter registration activities at an administrative naturalization ceremony may not provide information for or against a state immigration law or proposition. The organization's activities while participating must also comply with the Hatch Act , 5 U.S.C. §§ 7321-26.)
• Must not engage in commercial or religious solicitation or promotion of any kind.
• Must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, or veteran status.
• Must safeguard all personal information new citizens provide for voter registration and are prohibited from using this information for any purpose other than voter registration.
• Must follow scheduling and logistical requirements set forth by Field Leadership.
• Must wear professional attire and represent themselves and their organization professionally.
• Must have received proper training on how to register voters.
• Must receive an on-site briefing from Field Leadership regarding rules for that particular venue.
• Must wear name tags that include the name of the organization while registering voters.

If a non-governmental entity fails to comply with the above requirements for participation, Field Leadership, in consultation with the USCIS Chief Counsel's Ethics Office, may revoke this privilege and exclude the entity from participating in future administrative naturalization ceremonies that occur on or outside of the administrative ceremony location. Additionally, if a USCIS official receives a complaint from (a) a newly naturalized citizen; (b) a guest or family member of a newly naturalized citizen; or (c) the state or local election office regarding an entity's inappropriate behavior or lack of ability to properly provide voter registration services, Field Leadership, in consultation with the USCIS Chief Counsel's Ethics Office, my revoke the privilege upon appropriate inquiry and review of the circumstances.

Field Leadership must always consult with their designated Ethics Officer in the USCIS Office of Chief Counsel when making both (1) the initial determination of whether an organization is qualified to participate in voter registration services, and (2) the determination of whether to revoke this privilege should an entity fail to demonstrate compliance with USCIS requirements. If a question of qualification or compliance remains after consultation, Field Leadership must elevate the discussion through chain of command within the Field Operations Directorate.

If no space is available for governmental or non-governmental entities to provide on-site voter registration services, the USCIS Field Office will distribute voter registration applications, whenever feasible, to each newly naturalized citizen. If a Field Office is unable to distribute voter registration forms in any of the above three (3) vehicles, Field Leadership must notify their chain of command within the Field Operations Directorate.

If naturalized citizens have questions regarding voting and voter registration, USCIS should refer them to:

• The governmental or non-governmental entity offering voter registration services on-site;
• Other such entities within the local area; or
• The offical U.S. government Web site www.usa.gov.

(g) Guidance Concerning Ceremony Participation from other Governmental Entities. Federal, state and local governmental entities, such as the Department of State's Passport Services Division, and the Social Security Administration, may be authorized to provide information and make services available to newly naturalized citizens and their guests at the conclusion of the administrative naturalization ceremony. Governmental entities that desire representation at administrative naturalization ceremonies must seek advance approval from Field Leadership of the USCIS office conducting the ceremonly.

(h) Guidance Concerning Ceremony Participation from Volunteers and Civic Organizations. Field Leadership may enlist individual volunteers, community-based organizations, and civic organizations to participate in various roles during the administrative naturalization ceremony. For example, Field Leadership may have the Armed Forces Color Guard perform the presentation of colors and the national anthem or have volunteers lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Field Leadership must consider requests from all interested, qualified volunteers and organizations so that all have an equal opportunity to participate in the ceremony. Field Leadership will determine the appropriate level of participation for the occasion; however, under no circumstances will any non-USCIS employee perform any USCIS function. For example, volunteers must not perform any of the USCIS employee’s duties within the ceremony check-in process. Field Leadership must review the qualifications, designate the level of participation, and oversee the participation of all volunteers and organizations during the administrative naturalization ceremony. In addition, non-USCIS participants must not engage in political, commercial, or religious activity of any kind.

(i) Guidance Concerning Offers to Donate Use of Venues for Naturalization Ceremonies. USCIS employees are prohibited from soliciting a gift (including donated use of a venue to hold an administrative naturalization ceremony) from any non-Federal entity. An unsolicited gift, however, may be accepted with the concurrence of the USCIS Ethics Office and approval of the USCIS Director. If a USCIS Field Office receives an unsolicited offer to donate a venue for an administrative naturalization ceremony, Field Leadership must complete DHS Form 112-02, Gift Donation Form, and forward it, together with a recommendation memorandum and the original written donor gift offer, through appropriate channels to the Field Operations Directorate to obtain approval of the USCIS Director. All documents must be submitted to the Field Operations Directorate at least four weeks in advance of the ceremony date to guarantee timely processing. If a USCIS Field Office receives any other gift offers related to an administrative naturalization ceremony, Field Leadership should consult the USCIS Ethics Office.

This process must be completed for administrative naturalization ceremonies, but is not required for judicial ceremonies, as the court is hosting the event and accepting the offer of gift or donated venue.

**Field Leadership of the USCIS Field Office conducting the ceremony may accept an offer of gifts or donated venues from a state or local governmental entity without the approval of the USCIS Director. However, before accepting such an offer, Field Leadership must consider if acceptance would create a conflict of interest. Field Leadership should confer with their designated USCIS Ethics Officer before making a decision to determine if acceptance would reflect unfavorably upon USCIS.

NOTES:

¹ To the extent practicable, Forms M-771 will also be distributed to candidates participating in naturalization ceremonies overseas, subject to circumstances such as the location of the ceremony and the capacity of active military to carry the necessary materials in an active war zone.