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FOR THE LOVE OF OUR COUNTRY . . . Naturalization Ceremony:
“I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America” . . . words I spoke every day to start the school day and words I continue to pledge to commence Bar Association and other meetings; words with great meaning but words that sometimes go unappreciated. Being born in America is something my mother always told me was a great gift and needed to be appreciated. Perhaps this was because my father did not have such a privilege. Perhaps it was because she saw how hard he worked to become a citizen in our great country. Perhaps it was because she knew what wonderful opportunities America provides. Or perhaps it was because she knew how fortunate we are to have the freedoms granted to us by our forefathers who created this democracy and who gave us the right to free speech, the right to worship freely, the right to vote, the right to a trial by jury, among just a few. Whatever the reason for my mother’s advice, I have never stopped appreciating the great privileges America provides, but sometimes it is hard not to take things for granted when you become accustomed to living with such freedoms every day. In our recent, polarized political climate it is sometimes easier to forget the great benefits of our county than to appreciate it. My appreciation for our country continues to grow strong, however, especially after attending Delaware County’s Naturalization Ceremonies. The ceremonies gave me a chance to reflect on my father’s journey to America about 50 years ago. It is a privilege to welcome a diverse group of people to our country and an eye opener to see how many people in Delaware County alone have worked for years to become a citizen. When I think about the Pledge of Allegiance which I recited every day as a school student, it is even more meaningful and exciting to see people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and older saying those words for the first time as United States Citizens! Each has a story. Each has a journey that led them to leave the land of their birth, leave families, leave friends, leave jobs . . . leave everything they have known, and each with a common desire to be Americans and to share and protect the freedoms our Constitution provides. The Delaware County Naturalization Ceremony began in 1939 when a delegation of attorneys presented the idea to the then President Judge, W. Roger Fronefield. The attorneys wanted to let the new citizens of Delaware County know the community welcomed them. Since that time, the Court now has presided over 310 ceremonies as of June 2016. Each year there are typically about 150 individuals who become naturalized citizens in Delaware County, most of whom are between 30 and 55 years old. These ceremonies include participation from the Judges, the Director of the Office of Judicial Support, the
League of Women Voters, speakers, and singers. The most important part of the ceremony, however, is the taking of the oath by each new citizen to protect and defend our Constitution. Becoming a citizen of the United States is no easy task, though, and the approximately one hour long Ceremony in no way reflects the amount of time it has taken individuals to become citizens. One person with whom I spoke at this year’s first ceremony had waited for nine years before completing the process! In order to qualify for citizenship, there are multiple eligibility requirements, the most important of which is that an individual must be at least 18 years old and a permanent resident of the United States with a permanent resident card. Additionally, an individual must reside in the United States for at least three years. The eligibility worksheet provides for multiple requirements to qualify for citizenship including: whether an individual has left the county for any period of time; whether he/she can read, write and speak the English language, with some exceptions; knows fundamentals of U.S. history and the form and principals of the U.S. government; has good moral character; is willing to perform military or civilian service if required by law; and other considerations. Once the application is filled out, potential citizens must be fingerprinted and interviewed and tested on the applicant’s ability to read, write and speak the English language and knowledge of U.S. history. The process is not an easy one and is reflective of the commitment and desire one must have to become a U.S. citizen. The culmination of the process is a simple ceremony wherein applicants take an oath: “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, 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 against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.” America is still a melting pot. It is still a land of opportunity, a place of refuge, a place to follow dreams. While the shift of individuals seeking naturalization has shifted in the last twenty years towards Africa and Asia over Central and South America and Europe, there continue to be significant numbers of individuals who seek citizenship. On behalf of the Delaware County Bar Association, I welcome our new citizens and celebrate your achievements and journeys. The different backgrounds and cultures are a valuable part of what makes this such a great country. The most important thing to remember, however, is that there is a common bond among all of us – we hold in common our love of this country and the freedom it provides. W e a r e a l l A m e r i c a n s ! n
Summer 2016
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