During this July there were venues across our Nation—often court rooms—that scheduled Naturalization ceremonies for immigrants becoming American citizens. If you are able, I recommend you attend one of these impressive ceremonies whenever it is scheduled in your community. These events are free and the public is always welcomed.
As an example: Every 4th of July a Naturalization Ceremony is held in Philadelphia at the National Constitution Center.
Back in June 2016 I traveled to the Lancaster County Court House to attend the Naturalization ceremony of a Maasai friend. In July of that same year I attended a Naturalization ceremony at Pennsbury Manor–the historic home of William Penn, the founder of our state. This past Thursday July 18, I attended my third Naturalization ceremony, again at Pennsbury Manor. There were 49 men and women from 21 different countries who raised their hands and repeated the Oath of Allegiance that reads in part…
“… renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereign of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America …”
Standing to repeat The Oath
After the Oath is taken, as each name of the new American was called, they came forward to receive their official documents confirming their Citizenship in our country. Some paused as friends or family snapped their picture; many of them grinned or hugged their documents when returning to their seats. At the end of this ceremony, Austin DuSuk Yang, an American citizen formerly of South Korea described what America means to him.
For nearly two years there has been a hateful climate blowing across America. The Diversity of America was again reflected through these 49 new Americans who had abandoned their homelands in return for seeking joy, freedom, safety and success in our country.
Please Welcome our Newest Citizens who journeyed here from:
Afghanistan; Albania; Armenia; Belarus; Columbia; Ghana; India; Indonesia; Latvia; Liberia; Mexico; Poland; Romania; Russia; South Africa; South Korea; St. Vincent; Sri Lanka; Sweden; Ukraine; and Vietnam.
Disregard the noise spewing from ignorant mouths of those shouting that we “go back” to wherever we came from. We are NOT going back.
49 Refugees on the Path toward American Citizenship
The Bucks Underground Railroad 
Thanks so much , Doreen , for your inspiring description of the naturalization ceremony. Praying that most Americans realize how important it is for us as a country to welcome new immigrants. I taught English to immigrants in California , New York, and Pennsylvania but have never been at a naturalization ceremony I so wish I could have been there. So happy you were and followed through with this inspiring piece of writing. Hope you are well.
LikeLike
Thank you, Doreen, for another thoughtful blog. These naturalization ceremonies are most moving and inspiring. Our richness as a nation is in our diversity.
LikeLike