The upbeat attitudes of 50 United States citizens-to-be outshone the gray skies at the beginning of the annual Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony at the Wolf Lake Pavilion Monday evening.
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The traditional swearing-in by U. S. District Court Magistrate Andrew Rodovich went off without a hitch.
“We are here in support of our friend Naba Al-Anarreh, who will become a United States citizen today,” said Michael Griffin of South Bend, as he waited for the ceremony to begin. “Our church, Holy Cross Parish, sponsored her and her family when they came here six years ago.”
Eimad Al-Anarreh currently is a citizen of Iraq, but hopes to follow in his wife’s footsteps in the near future. “This is a wonderful opportunity for her and our children, and will be for me, too.”
Forty-nine other people from 20 counties gathered on the pavilion stage, while dozens of audience members looked on.
South Bend resident Marco Coria, 30, also was among those participating in the formal proceedings.
“My mother and I were both born in Morela, Mexico,” he said. “She was here at this ceremony two years ago, and I decided to go ahead with this, too. It will open more opportunities for me.”
Teresa Arroyo of East Chicago agreed with Coria, believing that her positive future began when she first moved to Chicago 10 years ago.
“I came to this country because of the education – I already received my GED and my teachers aid certificate. And now, I want to go to college for a teaching degree.”
Jeanette Chen of Portage was in the audience to watch her husband, Kevin Chen, receive his U.S. citizenship. Born in China, he currently works as a flight attendant and he and his wife see a lot of the world.
“A Chinese passport is limited, you have to get a visa to go almost anywhere,” Jeanette said. “With a U. S. passport, it will be a lot easier for him.”
After Rodovich’s formal speech and the swearing in by Court Deputy Ruth Nagy, the recipients received their papers and listened to speakers Bruce Allen, Immigration Services officer; State Rep. Linda Lawson, D-Hammond; Hammond Councilwoman Janet Venecz, D-at large; Justin Mowat, representing Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind.; and Jennifer Hand of the Indiana Bar Association.
League of Women Voters representatives stood at the ready to register the newbies as they exited the stage.
As many as 90 percent of the new citizens register as soon as the ceremony is over, according to member LWV member Susan Duncan. “And the number of those involved in this ceremony continues to go up each year,” she added. “When I first began here three years ago, there were 21 people, last year there were 41, and this year we have 50 new citizens. That’s amazing.”
The annual Fourth of July Naturalization Ceremony started 37 years ago, and took place during the former International Cultural Festival in the city’s Hessville section.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.