Each year, more than 10.5 million people pass through the Indianapolis International Airport (IND). They come from every corner of the globe, each with a story, a purpose, a destination. But on Oct. 9, 2025, our airport became more than a waypoint; it became a place where journeys culminated in citizenship, where 95 individuals from 42 nations stood together and became Americans.
This was our second annual naturalization ceremony, and it was nothing short of extraordinary. Held pre-security in Civic Plaza, the heart of our terminal, the event was filled with spirit and profound emotion. The IND Honor Guard, including members of our public safety team and local TSA, presented the colors. The Ben Davis High School Premiers show choir lifted their voices for the National Anthem. The Honorable M. Kendra Klump, magistrate judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, presided with grace and dignity. And as the Oath of Citizenship was administered, the air was filled with pride, hope and the quiet power of belonging.
The idea to host a naturalization ceremony at IND was first brought to life by Bill Stinson, our former senior director of Public Affairs. Bill was a dedicated airport employee, a beloved figure in our community and a passionate advocate for civic engagement. His deep respect for the immigrant journey and his belief in the airport’s role as a community connector inspired the inaugural ceremony in 2024, which was presided over by his wife, the Honorable Jane E. Magnus-Stinson. After retiring in August 2024, Bill passed away unexpectedly in April 2025. His vision lives on, not only in the ceremony itself, but in the people who carry it forward.
 Mario Rodriguez is executive director and chief executive officer of Indianapolis International Airport (IND). Under his leadership, IND has experienced record-breaking growth and has consistently earned recognition as one of North America’s best airports. Community involvement and civic engagement have been hallmarks of the 30+ years Rodriguez has held leadership roles at airports across the globe. |
Megan Carrico, our current senior director of Public Affairs and one of Bill’s mentees, now leads the team that organizes this event with care and purpose. Under her leadership, the Public Affairs team has aligned the ceremony with our broader customer service and community engagement strategies, ensuring it reflects IND’s commitment to hospitality, inclusion and civic pride. Each year, as we welcome new citizens, we reaffirm our belief that airports can be powerful platforms for belonging.
Why host a naturalization ceremony here at the airport? Because airports are more than infrastructure. They are symbols of movement, of connection, of possibility. They are where people arrive, depart, reunite and begin anew. What better place to mark the beginning of American citizenship than in a space that embodies the very spirit of transition and transformation?
As a first-generation Cuban American myself, I know what it means to come to this country with hope, to work hard, and to build a life rooted in opportunity. That journey is why this ceremony resonates so deeply with me. It is not just a celebration of citizenship; it is a celebration of resilience, of belonging and of the promise that America still holds for people around the world.
At IND, we believe in being more than a gateway to destinations, we strive to be a gateway to community. That is why we partnered with local representatives from the U.S. District Court and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to make this event possible. That is why we gave each participant a handwritten welcome note from our staff. Because citizenship is not just a legal status, it is a welcome, a handshake, a promise.
And for many of our own employees, who come from all over the world, this ceremony is deeply personal. It is a moment where they see themselves reflected in the heart of the airport they help operate every day. It sends a clear message: IND is a place that honors heritage and celebrates the diverse journeys that make up our team and our community.
Airports across the country have the opportunity to become civic spaces, places where democracy is not just protected but practiced. Hosting a naturalization ceremony is not a logistical challenge; it is a moral opportunity. It is a chance to show that we, as transportation leaders, understand the human stories behind every boarding pass. It is a chance to remind travelers and employees alike that the American dream is alive, and that it begins in places like ours.
To the 95 new citizens who stood proudly at IND this October, welcome home. Your journey has enriched our community, and your presence strengthens our nation. To our community partners, young learners and staff who made the day unforgettable, thank you. And to my colleagues at airports across the country, I invite you to consider what it would mean to open your doors not just to passengers, but to neighbors.
At IND, we are proud to be a place where the American story continues to unfold. Because at the heart of our mission is a commitment to making people’s lives better, and this event is one powerful way we live that out—by building a stronger, more inclusive community for everyone we serve.
