Sunnylands hosted the first naturalization ceremony in its storied history on Dec. 13, 2023, when 50 immigrants from 26 countries gathered in the west gardens to swear the Oath of Allegiance.

The ceremony was staged in partnership with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.  Since the pandemic, the agency has been allowed to produce special naturalization ceremonies at noted venues, a change that led to Sunnylands being able to host a naturalization ceremony for the first time.

Citizens sworn in at Sunnylands hailed from a wide array of countries, including Mexico, Egypt, Kenya, Jamaica, and Zimbabwe.

Sunnylands President David Lane welcomed the crowd of new citizens and their well-wishers, about 200 people. Alan Bersin, former Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary for international affairs and chief diplomatic officer, delivered the keynote speech.