New citizens welcomed during naturalization ceremony

In a flurry of red, white and blue, the newest citizens of the United States of America celebrated their journey.

They had come from around the world — 40 different countries — and arrived in our country with hopes of building a better life.

Their stories were all different, yet they shared a common goal: citizenship.

One day before the United States’ 248th birthday, the newest American citizens gathered at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site Wednesday to take an Oath of Citizenship during a special naturalization ceremony. U.S. District Court Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker presided over the annual event, which included music, special presentations and gifts for the participants.

Ninety-eight people, plus dozens more family, friends and supporters, took part in the ceremony. They came from countries including India and China, Haiti and Vietnam, Germany and New Zealand.

Now, they were all home.

“Whatever circumstances provided for you the specific motivation to embark on your own individual journey to become an American citizen — whatever dreams compelled you, whatever plans inspired you, your efforts and focused energies, whatever it was that strengthened your resolve, finally, today, those dreams are coming true,” Barker said.

The naturalization ceremony is organized by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Though the court holds ceremonies for new citizens twice each month, the one held every July is unique.

The spirit of the event was a celebration of the immigrant spirit, as well as emphasizing the responsibility that the new American citizens now help shoulder.

“We’re here to observe this moment of transition when you, our newest class of American citizens, 98 people strong, would become members of the American family,” Barker said.

This was the 22nd anniversary of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site hosting the ceremony, which corresponds with the Independence Day holiday. There was great symbolism in holding the event at Harrison’s Indianapolis home — Ellis Island, the foremost immigration station in the U.S., was opened in 1892 during Harrison’s presidency.

“I think President Harrison would be thrilled to be the site of this naturalization ceremony,” said Whitney Harrison Ebmeyer, great-great-great granddaughter of Benjamin Harrison and family representative.

The group of 98 new citizens, and their supporters, waited under a white tent on the presidential site’s lawn while jazz music softly played. Participants came dressed to celebrate, bringing with them their cultural dress and traditions to add to the fabric of the United States.

Some people cooled themselves with red, white and blue fans. A buzz of anticipation filled the air.

Participants had been approved for naturalization by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, who were on site Wednesday for a final interview with the candidates. Representatives from the Caroline Scott Harrison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution provided flags for each new citizen, and passed out information to the new citizens.

They could register to vote, and had access to ways to legally change their names.

The ceremony was a mix of official actions conducted by the federal court, and more symbolic gestures. New citizens took the Oath of Allegiance, which resulted in wild applause once it had been completed. Country-by-country, the new citizens stood up to receive miniature American flags from children who volunteered to pass them out.

Local officials, from Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to Latha Ramchand, chancellor of IU Indianapolis, addressed the new citizens and welcomed them to the area. Their words of encouragement and congratulations focused on the hard work they have put in, and the responsibility that comes with their new status as citizens.

“As various times in our history, citizens just like you were the ones who helped drive some of the biggest changes in our city, in our state and in our country. So they’re no better time to reflect on this unique role of every American citizen than now, on the eve of Independence Day,” Hogsett said.

Barker took time in her remarks to comment on the importance of immigrants to this country throughout the United States’ history. At a time of great political contentiousness, they would be the ones who would help the country move forward, unite together and lift each other higher.

“Right from the beginning, how to deal with immigration issues was of top concern of the new country. It is fair to say we have still not come up with a good, workable, fair, legal solution to those challenges,” she said. “With any luck, some of you will apply yourselves to the task of writing such laws and regulations and procedures. I can’t think of anyone better qualified to come up with some answers and solutions to our illegal immigration crisis than you.”

But despite difficulties, Barker stressed three ideals that have always defined American culture: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“Those three lines continue to inform the purpose as our country moves forward, to shape our goals and inspire our efforts,” she said.