WASHINGTON, DC—Institute of Museum and Library Services Director Crosby Kemper signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur M. Jaddou on November 18 at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island National Park Service Deputy Superintendent John Hnedak delivered remarks as host of the event.

This agreement further solidifies the close partnership between USCIS and museums and libraries nationwide. Since the original MOU was signed in 2013, IMLS has been helping museums and libraries to provide accurate and useful information for lawful permanent residents interested in becoming U.S. citizens. USCIS supports this partnership by designing trainings and content tailored to librarians and museum educators on topics including citizenship education programming, electronic filing of immigration benefits, and the expansion of digital tools and resources.

“The most moving event in a library or museum is the taking of the oath of citizenship by those immigrants from everywhere in the world, from every background, age, race, religion, and class, to not only have the rights but exercise the obligations of American citizenship,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “They have worked hard, devoting time and resources to adopting the ideals and privileges those of us who were born here take for granted. The memorandum I signed with Ur Jaddou, the Director of USCIS, continues to engage the agency and our museums and libraries in the work of citizenship education as important work for our cultural institutions and our republic.”