New citizens take the oath of allegiance during the June 30 naturalization ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site (photo by Marilyn Odendahl/The Indiana Citizen)
The Indiana Citizen
July 4, 2023
On the sun-splashed Friday morning before the long Fourth of July holiday weekend, 98 immigrants from 39 countries assembled under a big tent on the lawn of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, raised their right hands and recited the words that generations have spoken to become new American citizens.
“You make us proud we are still a country worth choosing,” Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana told the new citizens.
Since 2003, Harrison’s brick home in the Old Northside neighborhood of Indianapolis has hosted a naturalization ceremony around the July 4th holiday. More than 1,500 immigrants have taken the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America at the Hoosier president’s house.
Barker presided over the naturalization ceremony, which was conducted by the Southern Indiana District Court. Family and friends of the new citizens filled the tent and flowed outside onto the lush green grass.
As their countries of origin were called, the individuals taking the oath stood to be recognized and receive a small American flag. Their homelands covered the globe, including Argentina, Brazil, Burma, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea and Ukraine. The biggest cheer erupted for the country of Mexico.
Gareth Wood, a native of Scotland, was taking the oath of citizenship at the Harrison Presidential Site more than 13 years after joining his wife, Michelle, in America. Moving from California to Indianapolis three years ago, he decided to become a citizen because he wanted to vote and be able to have a say in democracy.
The long process to become a citizen starts with determining if the immigrant is eligible then proceeds to making an application for naturalization. Next, the immigrant must complete an interview in English with the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service and take a civics test about American government and history.
Wood studied for the civics test, in part, by watching reruns of the television show “The West Wing.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Wood smiled brightly and embraced his wife. “It’s a nice feeling to be included,” he said.
Michelle was also happy.
“I love that he is going to get to vote and not have to sit on the sidelines of democracy,” she said.
As she has many times before, Barker walked the new citizens through the ceremony, offering her congratulations, encouragement and assurances that they are welcome in the United States. She wore her black judicial robe and sat at a table in an ornate wooden chair.
At one point, Barker took a more intimate tone. “We’re family now,” she explained, before she noted they were becoming new citizens at a time when America is facing many challenges. Americans are divided over laws and policies and how to retain confidence in government.
However, she continued, they, as new citizens, reminded America of the values of dreaming and courage while also underscoring the responsibilities that all citizens have from voting and serving on a jury to being a caring neighbor and generous friend.
“You remind us there is no ‘them’ in a just society; only ‘us,’” Barker said.
Akinnola Johnson Omoniyi, who emigrated from Nigeria and became a U.S. citizen in 2018, stood under a shade tree and watched the ceremony while his three sons romped close by. He was there to support his friend, Ibrahim Mujadu, who was becoming a naturalized citizen.
Omoniyi is now a real estate agent and working on his computer skills. America, he said, gave him the opportunity to use and grow his talents. Following the ceremony, he had planned a party where Mujadu could celebrate with family and friends.
The ceremony was a mix of solemn duty as the new citizens swore to “support and defend the Constitution and law of the United States of America,” and joyful relief as they realized their accomplishment. Eighty-nine-year-old Claudia Munoz Estrada, from Mexico, was honored for being the oldest new citizen by being presented with a flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Kimball Harrison Morsman, great-great grandson of President Harrison, added to the festivities by offering their congratulations to the new citizens. Singer Sylvia McNair presented a few musical interludes including the song she commissioned especially for new citizens, “Your Home.”
While Dennis Sasso, rabbi emeritus of the Congregation of Beth-El-Zedeck in Indianapolis, talked to the crowd about the blessings of freedom, justice and peace, young children scampered across the lawn, delighting in a game of chase.
The ceremony concluded with each new citizen being called by name to receive their certificate of naturalization. They were greeted personally by Barker, Sasso and McNair along with other dignitaries, and given handshakes, hugs and, in a nod to the coming July 4th celebration, a box of sparkles.
Afterward, the new citizens lingered on the Harrison home grounds. The member of the Caroline Scott Harrison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution served cookies and lemonade.
Paviter Singh Dhalwal, 73, was born in India and lived in Canada for 45 years. He was encouraged to come to the United States by his daughter and two sons. His plans for the remainder of the day likely reflected the plans of many Americans on the Friday before a long holiday weekend – he was going to his American home to relax.