Trump to Urge Newly Naturalized Citizens to Defend American Values in Upcoming Video Message

President Donald Trump is introducing a new video message that will be shown to every immigrant at their naturalization ceremony, emphasizing the importance of preserving American culture. In the recording, Trump congratulates new citizens on what he calls "the greatest gift ever granted by human hands," their U.S. citizenship, and urges them to take up the role of cultural guardians in their adopted homeland.

“Today you receive the greatest gift ever granted by human hands: you become a citizen of the United States of America,” Trump declares in the video. He welcomes new Americans into the “national family,” highlighting the historic legacy and responsibility now entrusted to them. “No matter where you come from, you now share a home and a heritage with some of the most exceptional heroes, legends and patriots to ever walk the face of the Earth,” he continues, stressing the unique opportunity and duty that comes with citizenship.

Trump’s message is a marked affirmation of traditional American values. He explicitly calls on those taking the oath to defend the American way of life: “In this country, we believe in hard work, a merit system and equality of opportunity. We believe in self-government and the fair, equal and impartial rule of law. And we cherish our liberty and our God-given rights to free speech, the free exercise of religion, and the right to keep and bear arms,” he states. According to Trump, these principles form the "special American culture" that new citizens must now help protect and preserve.

The rollout of the new video comes as the path to permanent residency and citizenship in the United States faces increasing challenges amid shifting immigration policies. With legal pathways narrowing, obtaining citizenship has taken on even greater significance for many immigrants already residing in the country. In 2024 alone, over 800,000 people became naturalized U.S. citizens—an especially notable statistic in an era of heightened scrutiny and enforcement on illegal immigration by the current administration.

This week, tensions surrounding U.S. immigration came to a head as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Los Angeles led to protests that escalated into violence, prompting the mobilization of the National Guard. The administration’s focus remains firmly on enhanced border security, increased deportations, and a more restrictive approach to asylum claims, echoing enforcement-heavy strategies from previous years.

The introduction of Trump’s video message signals a broader shift in the White House’s approach, framing newly minted Americans not only as legal inhabitants but as integral stewards of American identity and tradition. This stance contrasts with previous messaging from President Joe Biden, who, at the onset of his administration, addressed new citizens with gratitude for their hope and courage in seeking out the American dream. “You all have one thing in common: Courage. The courage it takes to sacrifice and make this journey. The courage to leave your homes, your lives, your loved ones, and come to a nation that is more than just a place but rather an idea,” Biden said in 2021.

The new video, now a fixture at naturalization ceremonies nationwide, reflects the administration's view that citizenship is not only a legal status but also a moral and cultural commitment. As the national conversation around immigration continues to evolve, the message to new Americans is clear: the future of the country’s values and freedoms rests, in part, in their hands.