Immigrants continue to believe in America, as a number of naturalization ceremonies ahead of the Independence Day holiday make clear.
On Friday, I gave congratulatory remarks at a naturalization oath ceremony. One of our #OR06 neighbors contacted my office when they needed casework assistance, and my team helped them navigate through the federal agency process. Congratulations! 🇺🇸 (1/2)
— Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (@salinas.house.gov) 2025-06-26T22:06:39.003Z
At Chicago’s Wintrust Arena, more than 700 immigrants from more than 90 countries were sworn in as U.S. citizens in a ceremony presided over by Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, “whose great-grandparents emigrated from Ireland in the 1880s,” WGN reported. Judge Kendall said her story is an example of the promise of America. “Did my ancestors live the American dream? Yes they did.”
New Americans told NBC Chicago they were eager to reunite with close family members still in their home countries, participate in civic engagement, and fully live out their lives in the adoptive nation they call home.
Sherzad Yafret, originally from Kazakhstan, said he hoped to one day be able to bring his parents so that he can show them the “beauty” of America. Richard Crawford, originally from the U.K., said he’s been here for more than 30 years and was eager to participate in jury duty. Estefania Toledo, originally from Ecuador, said America offers “many opportunities … to succeed.” Watch a short clip below:
Chicago also made history last month (which also marked Immigrant Heritage Month), after Midway International Airport hosted its first-ever naturalization ceremony, ABC7 Chicago reported. That ceremony saw more than two dozen immigrants from half a dozen countries become Americans on paper. “Some said they’ve waited a long time for this special moment.”
Daria Rum, originally from Russia, said she’s been in the U.S. since she was 19 and feels like she “basically grew up in this country.” To now be a U.S. citizen “means everything,” she said. “It means like I do belong from here, truly, fully.” Silvia Garcia, originally from Mexico, said she wants the stories of these new Americans “to be examples for immigrant families to never give up on their American dreams,” ABC7 Chicago continued.
“Just encourage them to stay stronger, they can do it,” Garcia said. “They can do it.” Click below to watch a portion of the event:
New citizens take oath in Bismarck to complete naturalization process northdakotamonitor.com/2025/06/30/n…
— North Dakota Monitor (@northdakotamonitor.com) 2025-06-30T14:09:30.373Z
In North Dakota, North Dakota Monitor reports that “Sheyla Muñoz Garcia came to the United States from Mexico 15 years ago. All five of her children are U.S. citizens. On Friday, she became a citizen, too.” Her youngest is just 10 weeks old, and wanted to become a U.S. citizen to bring her children the stability they deserve.
“I had my green card and I was just trying to make sure my status is here, you know, because all my kids are Americans,” she said.
Jayla Crouse, from the Philippines, has become a U.S. citizen after seven years here and is studying to become a surgical technician. “The United States gave me a lot of opportunities here,” she said. When the American Hospital Association is projecting a shortage of about 100,000 critical health care workers by 2028, Crouse’s skills will be much-needed.
🧵: I heard there was going to be a Naturalization Ceremony at the President James A. Garfield Home National Park today. So I went.23 people from all over the globebecame US citizens today!#NaturalizationCeremony#Citizens#Ohio
— Terri Meadows (@buckeyemama.bsky.social) 2025-06-27T22:45:15.765Z
They are very moving, if you've ever witnessed one,esp in these cruel times.😩 I just felt it necessary to show support for our new neighbors in that ALL ARE WELCOME HERE! 🥹🥰
— Terri Meadows (@buckeyemama.bsky.social) 2025-06-27T22:46:27.317Z
The great-great-grandson of Pres Garfield spoke which was cool! As did the district judge who had them take their oath!
— Terri Meadows (@buckeyemama.bsky.social) 2025-06-27T22:47:02.488Z
And in Louisiana, 50 immigrants from nearly two dozen nations became new Americans in a ceremony at The Strand Theatre in Shreveport. For one Cameroonian immigrant, it was a bittersweet moment, The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate reports.
“Corine Phillips from Cameroon moved in 2018 and wanted to gain citizenship because her husband and children were American. She said she is happy to be a citizen, but it was also emotional for her because her son died and she said she missed his presence during the ceremony.”
“For one new citizen, Que Shqair from Jordan, his American born son was almost as excited as he was, calling out for his dad during the ceremony,” The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate continued. Click below to watch the ceremony in full:
Naturalization ceremonies are set to continue throughout the July 4 holiday weekend, including at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. That ceremony will be hosted by former California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is himself a naturalized American. “If you told me on that day that 43 years later I would be standing at Mount Vernon, the home of one of my heroes and a historic symbol of freedom and democracy, to welcome more new citizens, I would have been shocked,” he said. “But that’s the beauty of the United States of America: nothing is impossible.”
We’ll be lifting up further naturalization ceremonies taking place over the next few days. Until then, a happy and safe July 4 to all – and congratulations to our newest Americans.
