More than 100 people became US citizens: among them Ukrainians and Russians

On March 17, several naturalization ceremonies were held in the United States at once - both Ukrainians and Russians became US citizens, along with representatives from other countries. The edition told in more detail Deseret News.

Photo: Shutterstock

Some people have been waiting for this moment for a long time. For example, Gio Silveira, originally from Uruguay, lived with expectations for 22 years. Long enough, I must say, that by the time he finally became a US citizen, his son had reached the same age as he had when he first began his journey to US citizenship.

“It's very surreal,” Silveira said. “When I started this process, my son was only two weeks old. Now he is almost the same age as I was when I came to the States.

On March 17, USCIS and the Utah District Court approved 84 citizenship candidates from 39 different countries at a naturalization ceremony at This Is the Place Heritage Park. And in Cincinnati (Ohio), 49 more people, including a Ukrainian, became new US citizens.

“It's a great day! The sun is shining, you are smiling. It took you a long time to be here,” said Susan Ferrin of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The new citizens listened to congratulations, the national anthem and, for the first time as American citizens, took the Pledge of Allegiance.

On the subject: Record of the last 10 years: in 2021, the number of naturalizations in the United States increased sharply

When the formalities were settled, the crowd rose to hear Michael Martin, the supervising immigration officer, make a proposal for the naturalization of all candidates.

"The petition is granted," Judge Daphne Oberg said.

“This is a country of immigrants. This country has become a better place thanks to immigration,” said Oberg. “As new citizens, you bring depth and diversity to this country. You are making America fairer. You are making America more equal. And now that you are citizens, your task is to share your history and your culture.”

The satisfaction of the petition was greeted with applause, exclamations and tears of joy. New citizens congratulated each other, hugged family and friends.

Evgenia Belova first moved to the US from Russia in 2012 and said she was "very excited" after a 10-year journey to becoming a citizen.

“Now I can be a part of the United States: I can vote, I can do a lot of useful things,” Evgenia said. “I can work, I can travel a lot.”

Belova, whose husband became a US citizen two months earlier, said she was happy to be in a place where people "can be free and happy," especially given Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

“People didn't have a choice. It’s just that such a situation has developed, and people are just leaving now, because they can change it, ”explained Evgenia.

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Although she and her husband are US citizens, Belova remains worried about her family members who are still in Russia.

"My family lives in Russia. I'm worried about my family because I don't know what will happen in the future," she lamented.

After visiting America, Belova received her degree in English from the University of Utah and hopes to work as a journalist in the future.

And Cincinnati also had a very emotional naturalization ceremony. On it, Ukrainian Marina Misyura became a US citizen. Marina is from Kharkov, reports wlwt.

She said that she had spent the last few weeks in constant stress, worried about what was happening in her home country. Marina said that now she will help her family, friends and all Ukrainians who wish it to find their new home here in the United States.

She and 48 other immigrants from dozens of countries officially became Americans that day during a ceremony at a Cincinnati County school.

School Principal Rob said that in such a difficult time, this ceremony was a reminder that the United States is a country of hope.

“I'm just happy to be here,” Silveira enthused. "I'm American, baby!"

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