A Patriotic Welcome to 22 New American Citizens
On July 3rd, I attended the Iowa Cubs vs. the Omaha Storm Chasers baseball game and arrived early to see the 17th annual Citizenship Ceremony before the first pitch. Standing on the third baseline were 22 candidates for citizenship, hailing from 18 countries, including India, Trinidad, China, Honduras, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Iraq, Sudan, Cameroon, Burma, Nepal, Germany, Kenya, Rwanda, Malaysia, Egypt, and Venezuela. Many of them wore red, white, and blue, all of them holding small American flags.
Magistrate Judge Stephen Locher of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa presided over the ceremony, and Deputy Clerk Penny Luthens administered the Oath of Allegiance. Before the oath, Judge Locher spoke to offer a few words of encouragement and advice:
There is a long and proud tradition of first-generation immigrants doing extraordinary things in the United States. Naturalized citizens have served as governors and senators. They’ve started successful businesses and run non-profit organizations. They’ve won Nobel prizes and written best-selling books. They’ve invented life-saving technologies and played professional sports. First-generation immigrants are 80% more likely than native-born US citizens to start their own businesses. And that makes sense, it takes a lot of courage to start your own business, just like it takes a lot of courage to come to a new and totally different place.
Since 2009, 511 naturalized citizens have stood on the field of Principal Park to take the Oath of Allegiance. Each applicant must pass the naturalization exam, maintain continuous residence, and demonstrate good moral character.
Judge Locher described the candidates as “courageous, talented, and resilient.” After their name was read, each newly naturalized citizen bore a big smile and waved their American flag proudly. The enthusiastic crowd clapped and cheered, giving these 22 new Americans a standing ovation.
Your post brought so many emotions that I had long forgotten. My Iowan roots go back to my Aunt and Uncle who migrated in the 60's to Iowa from Pakistan via England. They were the first in our family to set roots. Later my family followed but we settled in Florida, but because of my Iowan family I went to college there and spent my young adulthood there. I remember taking the oath at the Des Moines capital building, and it was such a proud moment of my life. Thank you for your beautiful post which makes me feel even prouder to be Asian.
Thanks for the photos and including the presiding Judge's comments on these ceremonies.