Americans at Last: Naturalization Ceremony Takes Place at Alexandria Courthouse
ALEXANDRIA, VA-Earlier today (April 10) 61 American citizens-to-be gathered at the US District Courthouse in Alexandria to recite the Oath of Citizenship, embrace the vision and ideals of our Founding Fathers, and become Americans.
Few other feelings match the hope and excitement of becoming an American. Faces beamed as the newly minted citizens poured out of the courtroom to hug family and friends.
Perhaps Emma Lazarus’ poem, “The New Colossus,” inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, says it best:
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to be free
Every immigrant’s journey is filled with challenges.But gathered together, standing shoulder to shoulder to be sworn in makes the struggle to become a part of this country worth everything.
The ceremony was very moving,” said one woman who asked to be identified as “mitzi.” A native of the Philippines, she added, “It was a long process to get to today.”
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