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On Friday, July 4, 2008, 194 immigrants decided to celebrate the U.S. Independence Day in a very special way: a citizenship ceremony in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

They came from 57 nations to pledge allegiance to their adopted country in the Strawbery Banke Museum, where 37 historic houses recall how Americans lived in New England from 1653 to 1958.

"Anyone who walked through this site 100 years ago would've seen people from all over the world," says director of communications Amy Moy. That was a time when almost half of the population was made of immigrants.

New American citizens walking back in Portsmouth's colonial history would have seen George Washington and Paul Revere walking through the streets.

But a more contemporary inspiration was speaking directly to them last Friday.

That inspiration was Simon Nader, who migrated to the U.S. from Lebanon 37 years ago. Today he is the Manchester field office director for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

"You made a noble decision, choosing to be naturalized today. The value of becoming an American citizen is higher today because there's a great thirst among all the nationalities to be part of the greatest nation on earth," said Nader, who arrived in New York's John F. Kennedy Airport in 1971, carrying $20, a bag of books and some clothing.

"When I first came here, the people of America were so understanding, compassionate, so giving. Even though we couldn't communicate, an immigration officer made sure I arrived at my destination, even offered to pay for [a] taxi," he said.

Katrina Tinio left the Philippines when she was 9 years old. The first benefit she wants to enjoy as an American citizen is voting.

"I want to take a hold of all opportunities of America," said Tinio, who described Nader's keynote speech as "a lot of words of wisdom."

According to Immigration officials, about 2,500 immigrants were naturalized across the country this Independence Day. This week alone, more than 21,000 people will be sworn in.

In Boston, Vice President Dick Cheney greeted 26 new citizens aboard the USS Constitution.

The ceremony in Portsmouth took less than 30 minutes, with some of the new citizens crying, others laughing uncontrollably. All 194 of them came with their 800 proud relatives.

Becoming a U.S. citizen clears the path for a bright future in America, as Ibrahim Kargbo and Shre Jaganathan demonstrate.

Before fleeing a nine-year-old civil war in Sierra Leone, Kargbo made a pact with God: he promised to follow His words diligently if God gave him the chance to enjoy U.S. freedom. Kargbo was 15 at the time.

Now 23, Kargbo is a college student, studying international business and marketing in Atlanta, Ga. He plans to eventually join the United Nations.

Jaganathan plans to open his own credit-card processing company. The Indian immigrant fought so hard during the 14 years it took for him to become an American citizen that he declined to give me details of his plan. He has the right to do that, too.

What makes these new citizens strong is their willingness to contribute to this land, without ignoring their origins. In fact, Kargbo admits: "I am an American by papers, but African blood still run in my veins."

source: EthnicNewz.org

Copyright 2008 New England Ethnic News, EthnicNewz.org. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the express permission of the news source. Contact Newz for more information.

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