New U.S. Citizens took their oath in Naturalization Ceremony

After a long process, 15 new U.S. citizens took their Oath of Allegiance Thursday to the United States of America.

Fifteen individuals attended their Naturalization Ceremony, turning their dreams of becoming a United States citizen into a reality.

After taking the Oath of Allegiance inside the Dan M.R. Russell Courthouse each individual received their certificate of naturalization, making them official United States citizens. U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden said, “There are a lot of steps they have to take to get through before they get here when the immigration folks present them to us, but of course, this is a culmination of all that. It is a very special ceremony for them and their families.”

Judge Ozerden says this ceremony is very special to him because his father immigrated from Turkey in 1963 and became a naturalized citizen. “I like to convey that to them. So, to recognize the importance of what they have done. It’s not just for them, they have done it for their children and their grandchildren and future generations because that’s the foundation of this country, it’s immigration.”

Brothers Carlo and Alejandro Chavez are originally from the Philippines and say it feels amazing to have accomplished something that many in their family have not. “It feels fantastic. I can actually do more and it actually helps not only me, but my other family that are in the Philippines. It can benefit them from my accomplishments.”

“They are proud, very proud. It’s one of the best opportunities that I got and they are pretty amazed. They are happy with it.’

The brothers say it was a long and tedious process, but well worth it. “Starting off was hard, but the more I learned the better I get at it and now that I’m an actual citizen, it’s actually a big step for me.”

“First it was kind of nervous. I was feeling nervous, but at the same time, it was amazing. It was kind of hard because I didn’t know what to do in the process, but after that it got better.”