New citizens take oath during a naturalization ceremony
UPPER DARBY » In the spirit of giving, over 80 people received their citizenship certifications from representatives of the federal government during a naturalization ceremony in Upper Darby on Monday morning.
Hundreds filled the township’s Performing Arts Center to watch their friends and loved ones take the oath of allegiance as the newest citizens of the United States, garnering cheers from lawmakers, federal judges and other dignitaries.
The new citizens represent 38 countries from around the globe from Algeria to Vietnam, Moldova to Jamaica.
“It’s a great day for you, and a great day for America,” said Judge Cynthia Rufe of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to the dozens of new citizens. “As you sit here today I ask you to seal this moment in your memory. It is one of the defining moments of your life.”
Rufe was joined by her district court colleague Chief Judge Lawrence Stengal, U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, R-7 of Chadds Ford, Upper Darby Mayor Tom Micozzie, and others to wish the citizens the best with their new rights. They encouraged these citizens to take part in voting, serve on a jury, to be part of conversations where views conflict and to be engaged members of their communities.
“I’ve been a judge for 27 years, and I can tell you that naturalization ceremonies are among the most pleasant and important and uplifting duties that we perform as judges,” said Stengel. “I want to congratulate you on this very happy day for you and your families.”
He added, “I firmly believe that this system, with elected officials, with independent judges, with a free and vibrant press, and informed citizens works very well. It’s that last part I want to emphasize to you as free citizens: If you remain informed and engaged and responsible in your work as citizens, this country continues to become the wonderful and productive place that it has been for so many years.”
For Micozzie, this was the first ceremony he’s attended in Upper Darby, and one that allowed him to boast about the over 80 nations represented in the township’s populace.
“Having this event in our community is not only an honored privilege to me as mayor and the 82,000 residents who call (Upper Darby) home, Upper Darby is unique in so many ways with our culture, our transportation hub, housing and residents,” he said. “Today, as so many millions previous to you have done, this symbolizes what our country has to offer. Opportunity is waiting for you at America’s doorstep. I ask you to embrace it, challenge yourself and achieve your hopes and dreams for you and your families.”
Newly minted citizen Jennifer Garcia-Bossio, who hailed from Haiti, has been in America since July 1993. She spoke briefly about what America means to her.
“No other country gives you the right to pursue happiness, freedom, as well as your idea of the American dream,” she said. “Since I’ve been here I’ve gone to school, started a career, changed careers, failed, win … but I have committed a life here. I have a job that I love, great friends, a life full of sports and other things. The natural next step for me is to become a U.S. citizen.
“Thank you, I’m honored to be here.”
Garcia-Bossio and all of the other new American citizens who took the oath on Monday will be able to endure the responsibilities of citizenship that Meehan spoke eloquently about as the guest speaker for the ceremony.
“Choosing to become American citizens you continue the cycle which enables us to regenerate and rejuvenate this great idea established more than 200 years ago called the United States of America,” he said. “We are a nation of immigrants, we have been from its very founding.”
“Look at the responsibilities of citizenship that you also now share and to use by example the way that you can help influence the discourse and dialogue of others. By your own example some of you have had to deal with angry rhetoric. In the moment of time, make sure you use your examples to others to say ‘we can engage, but let us do so with compassion and respect.’”
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, approximately 750,000 citizens were naturalized in 2016, about 19,000 of them in Pennsylvania.