Snow Xue XIA

NEWS | In Boston, 381 Immigrants became U.S. Citizens

Boston — On Thursday, October 19, 381 immigrants from nearly a hundred countries gathered at Faneuil Hall and celebrated the moment of becoming U.S. citizens. 

The naturalization candidates repeated the oath read out by the official who held the ceremony, "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…” People of different ages, races, and cultures were asked to stand up as the Boston Seangerfest Men's Chorus sang the national anthem.

The U.S. welcomes immigrants from all over the world each year. According to the Department of Homeland Security, in 2016, 752,800 people were naturalized, and most of them lived in the following ten states: California, New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington, Virginia, and Maryland.

Naturalization takes several steps. The naturalization applicants are required to have been permanent residents (green card holders) for at least five years or three years for those who are married to a U.S. citizen. These applicants are expected to have passed the test on English language and U.S. history.

At Faneuil Hall, Marianne B. Bowler, the Magistrate Judge of U.S. District Court congratulated the newest U.S. citizens, "You are all one."

"You are not second-class citizens. You are important because you have chosen this country," Bowler said. "You became the U.S. citizens in the most historical building in the U.S. as Faneuil Hall sowed the seeds of American Revolution."

Citizenship grants immigrants with federal benefits and jobs that are limited to citizens and protects them from deportation if they commit a crime.

Becoming a U.S. citizen means being afforded with unalienable rights, such as the freedom of expression, freedom of religion, right to run for office, and right to vote and responsibilities including supporting the Constitution, serving on a jury when called upon, and most importantly, participating in the democracy. 

Bowler encouraged the new citizens to register for votes at ballots hall as soon as possible so that they can be heard and exercise their rights.

The judge culminated her speech by quoting John. F. Kennedy, "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

Family members of the newest citizens and the guests were required to leave the hall and waited outside. People outside Faneuil Hall chatted, hugged, and congratulated each other’s families. 

While these people were raised in different countries and spoke different languages, they share the same American dream.

Ten years ago, Justin Nantchouang, 58, emigrated from Cameroon in Central Africa where had worked for the poultry industry, received a U.S. visa in 2007, and applied for Naturalization in 2012. Currently, he works as a maintenance assistant in a nursing home.

“Getting a U.S. green card is like winning a lottery,” Nantchouang said. “It is great that the U.S. government welcomes immigration.”

His immigrated to have a better life and provide quality education to his four kids, two girls and two boys. His elder son has graduated from Framingham State University, his younger son is a university student, one daughter is in high school, and the youngest daughter is in middle school. He is glad that he has made it.

Standing next to Nantchouang was Christophe Yetou, 42 years old, also from Cameroon. Yetou has lived in the U.S. for six years and used to be a businessman who supplied furniture and books to the public school operated by the local government.

“The reason I came to America,” Yetou said, “was for adventure.”

A woman from El Salvador, located in Central America, came to the U.S. as an illegal immigrant four years ago. She ran away from the violence in her country with her daughter. “In El Salvador, the violence kills people every day,” she said.

She lives in East Somerville and works at an airport. Her husband, a singer at a local Christian Church, came to the U.S. illegally twenty years ago, obtained a work permit, and became naturalized. After being married, it took her three years to be eligible for naturalization. 

At the end of the ceremony, the new citizens were awarded naturalization certificates.

In 2016, During Trump’s campaign for border wall and low tolerance for immigration, the number of citizenship applications surged. This year, although Trump has restricted legal immigration, and rescinded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the number of applications is expected to exceed last year’s.