Twenty-two immigrants from a dozen countries became citizens of the United States on Sunday during the 10th annual naturalization ceremony hosted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Greenbelt City Council in the gymnasium of the Community Center.
Although longtime residents would find this number small compared to previous years, it was a special day for the individuals taking the oath of allegiance in front of their families.
Mayor Emmett Jordan welcomed the new citizens into our diverse, historic town, and he congratulated them on their accomplishment. Jordan then pointed to the two cameramen in the room to announce that the ceremony was being recorded, courtesy of the city, for those who want a copy to take home and keep.
Then Greenbelter Megan Winner sang the national anthem with a powerful voice the mayor called “beautiful.”
After the oath of allegiance, which naturalized citizens must say as a final step before becoming U.S. citizens, each of the immigrants from countries as close as Guatemala to as far as China accepted their certificate of citizenship and shook hands with Jordan and the councilmembers present before returning to their seats and embracing husbands, children, siblings or parents.
For more of this story, see the June 6 News Review.