A joint resolution allowing qualified persons representing all the States to be naturalized on Ellis Island on July 3 or 4, 1986.
PL 99-328 (H.J.Res.613), enacted 05/28/1986

PUBLIC LAW 99-328—MAY 28, 1986 
100 STAT. 505 
Public Law 99-328 
99th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Allowing qualified persons representing all the States to be naturalized on Ellis 
May 28, 1986 
Island on July 3 or 4, 1986. 
[H.J. Res. 613] 
Whereas citizenship ceremonies are planned on July 3 and 4, 1986, 
as part of the centennial celebration of the Statue of Liberty; 
Whereas, as this is a national celebration, these ceremonies should 
include a naturalization ceremony that truly reflects that the 
United States is a Nation of Immigrants; 
Whereas, the immigrants who entered the United States through 
Ellis Island settled throughout the United States; 
Whereas, it would be most appropriate to have residents from all 
the States participating in the naturalization ceremony; and 
Whereas, the Immigration and Nationality Act limits participation 8 use iioi note. 
in the naturalization ceremony to individuals who reside only 
within the jurisdiction of a single district of a United States 
District Court: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of 
America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF 2 RESIDENTS REPRESENTATIVE OF EACH 
STATE. 
The Governor of each State is requested to and may designate (to 
the Attorney General, or his designee, by not later than June 1, 
1986) 2 qualified persons (as defined in section 4(1)) for naturaliza-
tion as citizens of the United States in an appropriate ceremony on 
Ellis Island on July 3 or 4,1986. 
SEC. 2. WAIVER OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE IMMIGRATION AND 
NATIONALITY ACT. 
Notwithstanding any provision of title III of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act and notwithstanding any provision of chapter 87 of 8 use 1401. 
title 28, United States Code, to the contrary, each qualified person 28 use 1391 et 
who is designated under section 1 may be naturalized on Ellis Island seq. 
on July 3 or 4,1986, before any judge or justice of the United States. 
SEC. 3. NO AUTHORIZATION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS. 
This Act does not authorize the appropriation of any amounts for 
the transportation, lodging, or other expenses associated with the 
naturalization of designated, qualified persons under section 2. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) QuAUFiED PERSON.—The term "qualified person" means, 
with respect to a State, a person— 
(A) who is a resident of the State, but not a citizen of the 
United States, 
(B) who, except as provided in section 2, has completed all 
statutory and regulatory requirements for naturalization, 
and 
100 STAT. 506 
PUBLIC LAW 99-328—MAY 28, 1986 
(C) whose application to file a naturalization petition 
(Form N-400) on the person's own behalf has been approved 
before June 1,1986. 
(2) STATE AND GOVERNOR.—The term "State" means each of 
the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
Islands, and Guam, and the term "Governor" means, with 
respect to a State, the chief executive officer of the State. 
Approved May 28, 1986. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 613 (S.J. Res. 334): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 99-587 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 132 (1986): 
May 12, considered and passed House. 
May 15, considered and passed Senate.