Obama to honor US Armed Forces

President Obama will honor contributions made by foreign-born members of the U.S. Armed Forces at a naturalization ceremony at the White House on Friday. 

Obama views the ceremony as “an opportunity” to “reiterate his commitment to an immigration policy that honors our rich history as a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws,” a White House official said. 

{mosads}At the ceremony, Obama will recognize 15 active duty service members, each representing a different country, who will receive their citizenship. Immigration rights advocates are expected to join the service members’ families and community leaders, the White House official said. 

Chef Jose Andres, who received U.S. citizenship last fall, will also be recognized at the ceremony by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, an initiative that highlights the achievements of naturalized U.S. citizens. 

The ceremony comes on the heels of a failed immigration reform effort. President Obama has promised he will take executive action on the issue in the coming months but has not been more specific about his plans.