On Sept. 22, a few agencies and community partners had the opportunity to join the Governor’s Office and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the largest swearing-in ceremony in Oregon.
The ceremony had two parts: the morning session had more than 85 countries and 500 new citizens; and the afternoon session had the most ever represented countries in an Oregon ceremony with 91 countries and 500 new citizens.
What an honor was to represent the agency at this event and speak
with so many of the new U.S. citizens and share information with
community partners. We are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. I was touched seeing and speaking with many
Hispanics and Latinos represented at this event.
There was representation from Spain and Latin America, which consists of the entire continent of South America, Mexico, Central America, and the islands of the Caribbean.
I remember many years ago going through the same process. The U.S. Citizenship Oath Ceremony s the final step of the naturalization process. This means you made it through the lengthy and challenging requirements, you paid the fees, the USCIS has approved your Form N-400, and you are ready to enjoy the benefits of full U.S. citizenship. You’ve also completed the naturalization
application and passed the citizenship test and interview. Do you know what the citizenship test and interview is?
The oath ceremony is a tradition dating back to the 18th
century. When taking the oath, the new citizen promises to fulfill
the following duties:
- Support and defend the U.S. Constitution and the laws of the
United States against its enemies.
- Give up allegiance to any other nation or sovereign, and
renounce hereditary or noble titles, if any.
- Provide military or civilian service when called upon by the
government to do so.
Attending the Oath of Allegiance ceremony is mandatory as
the final step of the naturalization process. You must satisfy
this requirement of U.S. citizenship in order to naturalize and
become a U.S. citizen.
To tell you the truth, I promised myself I would not cry. But, after listening to the keynote speaker, Toc Soneoulay-Gillespie, director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, with the cheers, and tears that erupted freely from families and friends
gathered to witness the ceremony, I failed and I am proud of it.
I leave you with this message: If you ever have the opportunity to attend any of these ceremonies, please do so.