Beneath a large white tent in a sunny Long Island meadow, families hailing from 24 different countries gathered together, wearing smiles on their faces and holding small American flags in their hands.
“The process to become a United States citizen is not easy,” says United States District Judge Nusrat Choudhury on Wednesday, July 1. Just minutes earlier, 52 people in the audience had become naturalized U.S. citizens.
Above the crowd, atop a grassy hill, stands Theodore Roosevelt’s home at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site on Long Island’s North Shore. The naturalization ceremony was organized by The Honorable Robert A. Katzmann Justice for All: Courts and the Community Initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Despite the week’s heatwave, families from across the region gathered to witness a milestone most had waited years to reach.
“Our great nation is better because of your strength, your endurance, your perseverance, your creativity, your joy, and all that energy and passion that you now bring to our country.”
—United States District Judge Nusrat Choudhury
“Each of you has traveled long distances physically and emotionally. Each of you has made sacrifices and endured hardships,” continues Choudhury, who is the daughter of Bangladeshi immigrants and the first Muslim woman to serve as a U.S. federal judge.
“Your back-breaking work, your patience and endurance, your dream of a better life has brought you here today, she said. “Our great nation is better because of your strength, your endurance, your perseverance, your creativity, your joy, and all that energy and passion that you now bring to our country.”
As Choudhury concluded her remarks, the new citizens were called one by one to receive their certificates of naturalization from the judges.
“Our country gets stronger every time someone takes that oath. We got a bit stronger today,” Judge James Wicks, the event’s master of ceremonies, tells the crowd. “You are welcome here as citizens. And I mean that. You are welcome.”
“Our country gets stronger every time someone takes that oath. We got a bit stronger today.”
—Judge James Wicks
Eric Kirmi, new U.S. citizen originally from Kenya
“It’s been a long time with the applications and being patient with the immigration process … I’ve always wanted to come to the U.S. since I was young. American culture is big [in Kenya]. I was always watching American movies and reading American books and all that. When I got a chance to apply for a visa, I applied and was accepted. I’m ecstatic today. It’s great knowing that I now really belong here. Because when you’re not a citizen, you’re still a part of your previous country and life. Now, when I travel, I can say ‘I’m a citizen of the U.S.’ I have a feeling now like I really belong.” —Eric Kirmi, who has lived in the U.S. for nearly six years
Cherry Valerio, new U.S. citizen originally from the Phillippines
“I’m very happy to be an American citizen …. So many people aspire to become one. I’m also happy that now I’m an American citizen like my kids!” —Cherry Valerio, who has lived in the U.S. since 2017
Lucy Castillo, new U.S. citizen originally from El Salvador
“I feel proud. It’s an honor. This is my country now, officially. I have beautiful kids who were born here. All my life has been dedicated to this country. I think that’s enough to become a citizen. I want to say that everything is possible. If you have a dream, work with it and you will get to the peak.” —Lucy Castillo, who has lived in the U.S. for more than 35 years
Houria Benkrouk, new U.S. citizen originally from Algeria
“I feel so much right now. I’m so happy today to be an American citizen finally … America gave me everything. It gave me happiness and hope. It’s different here. Everything is new. That’s why I’m so excited to be here. I want to take care of my kids, protect my kids, give my kids more education. I want to be something good in America because she gave me so much. I’m so proud to be here.” —Houria Benkrouk
As the ceremony ended, families hugged, laughed and fanned themselves with their programs as they walked up the hill to Roosevelt’s house, where they gathered on the porch for a group photograph.
“You are welcome here as citizens. And I mean that. You are welcome.”
—Judge James Wicks
