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Family members and neighbors gathered to watch 98 new citizens be celebrated Wednesday morning at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana Judge Sarah Evans Barker presided over the ceremony.
“Whatever dreams impelled you, whatever plans inspired you your efforts, and focused energies, whatever it was, that strengthened your resolve today, finally, those dreams are coming true,” Barker said. “And you are reaping the rewards of your determination and your persistence.”
Barker spoke on how the large white tent everyone sat under in the lawn of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Home represented how as Americans they are all one. She also noted how the sides were open.
“That’s what we aspire to, a country of no walls,” Barker said.
She said that there is an illegal immigration problem and hopes that the new citizens will take action to help better America.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Zach Myers motioned for the oath of U.S. Citizenship.
Before the oath, children in attendance passed out American flags provided by the Daughters of the American Revolution to the new citizens.
Families brought flowers for their loved one that became a new American citizen. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
Daughters of the American Revolution passed out cookies. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
New citizens registered to vote with the League of Women Voters after the ceremony. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
Children passed out American flags to the new citizens. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
98 new citizens were recognized during the ceremony Wednesday morning at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Home. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
The children gave each new citizen a fist bump after handing them their American flag. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
The new citizens gave the oath of U.S. Citizenship together. (IL Photo/Alexa Shrake)
After the ceremony was adjourned, the new citizens could register to vote with the League of Women Voters. There were also cookies and refreshments available on the lawn of the presidential site where many took photos and hugged family members.
West Side resident Deb Lawrence has been coming to the naturalization ceremony for eight years now.
“It’s a great way to start the holiday weekend,” Lawrence said.
It was the first time for Moira Carlstedt who sat with Lawrence in lawn chairs they brought to the side of the tent.
“It was incredibly inspiring and motivating. As the judge said, we’ll get through these difficult times as we’ve done in the past. We all have to work together to move forward together and the new citizens will be part of that,” Carlstedt said.
She plans to attend many more in the future.
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