CAND Community Outreach
Naturalization Ceremonies
The United States District Court, Northern District of California participates in naturalization ceremonies throughout the district each year, reciting the oath of allegiance and swearing in the new citizens of the United States. In 2024, the Court will host six ceremonies in San Francisco and four ceremonies in San Jose.
For more information about naturalization ceremonies and other events hosted by the Northern District of California, visit the district’s website at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/about/clerks-office/naturalization/.
Judge P. Casey Pitts presided over the swearing in of 20 new United States citizens at the March 13, 2024 Naturalization Ceremony in the United States District Court Ceremonial Courtroom in San Jose. The Court partnered with the San Jose Division of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to hold the special court ceremony. Sheila Rash, who is a docketing clerk in San Francisco, sang the National Anthem.
District Judge James Donato presides over naturalization ceremony at the USS Hornet in Alameda, CA on June 30, 2023.
District Judge Charles R. Breyer presides over naturalization ceremony at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros presides over naturalization ceremony held at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in San Francisco on February 11, 2023.
Annual Circuit Civics Contest
The U.S. District Court, District of Northern California participates in the annual Ninth Circuit Civics contest for high school students. Each year a topic is selected, and high school students throughout the district are invited to submit essay and video entries on the selected topic for an opportunity to win a cash prize and move on to the circuit-wide judging.
For more information about this year’s and prior years’ contests, visit https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/civicscontest/.
District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam Jr., center, with the 2023 Northern District’s civics contest winners.
School Virtual and In-person Visits with Judges
Teachers and students are cordially invited to visit any of the courthouses of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California to enhance government studies taught in schools and to gain a better understanding of the judicial branch of government. Contact the court’s civics coordinator Mary Bhojwani at mary_bhojwani@cand.uscourts.gov to schedule a visit.
Students from Oakland Technical High School visited the Oakland Courthouse on November 16, 2023.
Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros (center) hosted students and teachers from Palma High School in Salinas in the San Francisco Courthouse on May 15, 2023.
International Delegations and Visitors
The U.S. District Court, District of Northern California hosts international delegations from around the world who are eager to learn more about the American justice system and the federal courts. Each visit is tailored to the specific needs and interests of each group. Visits include presentations from judges, or Clerk’s Office leadership, as well as observation of court proceedings.
Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim (Center) hosts a delegation from Taiwan High Court on July 28, 2023.