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 Editorials | Issues | April 2007 
Becoming New Parts of American Dream
 Amanda Rittenhouse - The Inquirer
| | Jeffrey Wallace, originally from Jamaica, holds a hand over his heart during the national anthem before taking the oath of allegiance and officially becoming a U.S. citizen during a ceremony at the Convention Center. (Laurence Kesterson/Inquirer) |
Army National Guard Sgt. Juan Romano served in the Mideast in 2003 with the 82d Airborne Division before the Iraq war officially began - and before being declared a citizen of the United States.
Four years later, Romano, 26, in full dress uniform, raised his right hand and took the oath of allegiance yesterday in a naturalization ceremony at the Convention Center.
Romano, who moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic with his parents in 1983, was one of 2,500 new citizens sworn in during two events.
Shawn Saucier, a spokesman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), said that of the 702,663 citizens naturalized in 2006, 6,643 were serving in the military. He said there had been a steady increase in citizen and military applications over the last few decades.
Saucier said 40,000 members of the military are eligible to become citizens and 26,000 military personnel have become citizens since Sept. 11, 2001. Citizenship is not a requirement to serve in the military.
Romano and four other new citizens who serve in the military led the Pledge of Allegiance in the morning ceremony. Romano said he applied for citizenship in November because the rest of his family had already done so and he thought there were more job opportunities available to citizens. He lives in New York City and works as a security guard.
Romano said he was in Iraq for nine months working with supply logistics, where he provided food and ammunition to soldiers on the front line.
"I will go back if they send me," Romano replied when asked if he would serve a second tour of duty.
Donald Monica, district director of the USCIS Philadelphia office, said from eight to 10 smaller ceremonies granting 50 to 70 people citizenship are held at the agency's office at 16th and Callowhill Streets each month. He said Philadelphia USCIS grants 11,000 to 13,000 legal residents citizenship annually and that large ceremonies like yesterday's are held three to four times a year.
"The process typically takes about six to eight months from the time filed to the time of oath. The oath of allegiance is the last and most essential step in the naturalization process," Monica said.
At the ceremony, Monica introduced John Medveckis, a philanthropist, partner in the investment firm Cooke & Bieler, and naturalized citizen from Latvia. Medveckis spoke to the new citizens about the American dream.
"The great opportunities we find here are not just low-hanging fruits on a tree," he said. "Nothing will stop you but your own hesitation."
Shahida A. Hossain, 36, of Norristown, moved to the United States from Bangladesh on Sept. 9, 2001, with three children and her husband, who died in October 2004.
The family came to the United States to seek the opportunity Medveckis described. Hossain, a machine operator at Fargo Assembly, said she plans to eventually obtain citizenship for her children, now 16, 12 and 13.
"It's different," she said. "I see over here the studies are good for my kids. My kids like it here, so we will stay here."
She said her parents remain in Bangladesh, but she hopes they will move to the United States.
After the ceremony, voter registration forms were distributed to the new citizens.
"Nothing we do is more fulfilling than giving you the opportunity to have your voice heard," Monica said during the ceremony.
Rodrigo Orozco, 23, of Reading, who moved from Michoacan, Mexico, said he planned to make his voice heard by casting his first ballot in the 2008 election so "we can get a different president."
Contact reporter Amanda Rittenhouse at 215-854-2813 or arittenhouse@phillynews.com. |
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