About 100 immigrants from more than 40 countries took their Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America.
“Become a bridge between these two cultures — the one you are from and the one you are here in now … if people understand one another, there will be less fear and more respect.”
That was just one piece of advice shared between Ya-Mei Chen, director of the Mt. Laurel Field Office for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and 100 newly sworn-in United States citizens during a special naturalization ceremony this week at Rowan College at Burlington County’s main campus in Mt. Laurel.
Chen, herself an immigrant to the United States, spoke alongside other immigration, school and county officials as about 100 immigrants took their Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and officially became U.S. citizens.
According to USCIS officials, the ceremony was part of USCIS’ annual celebration of Constitution Week, which is recognized this year from Sept. 14 to Sept. 23, and Citizenship Day, marked on Sept. 17.
In addition to the ceremony at RCBC in Mt. Laurel, USCIS officials say the agency welcomed nearly 45,000 new citizens at more than 260 naturalization ceremonies during the weeklong observance.
According USCIC officials, the new U.S. citizens at this week’s event at RCBC originated from more than 40 countries, including: Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, India, Jamaica, Liberia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela and Vietnam.
One new U.S. citizen at the event was 31-year-old Sarika Blackman of Willingboro, who originally immigrated to the United States through marriage from Guyana in 2008.
Blackman, who is also currently a student at RCBC majoring in business administration, described America as “a great country to live” with “beautiful opportunities” of which she could take advantage.
“I just want to be here and live the American dream just like everyone else,” Blackman said.
Blackman is also the mother of two U.S. children, ages 6 and 8, so she said becoming an official citizen was important to her for their well-being as well.
“I have children that were born here in America — without my citizenship, I was afraid that I would have been somehow separated eventually, so I wanted to make sure that was in place,” Blackman said.
Also speaking at this week’s event was Kate Gibbs, director of the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Gibbs said she wanted to tell “America’s newest citizens” that they personify the “rich diversity” of Burlington County and the United States as a whole.
“Making the decision to leave your home, come to a new country and pursue your dreams takes both great courage and perseverance,” Gibbs said. “Your decision to apply for citizenship and endure the rigors of the naturalization process speaks to your character and commitment to your future.”
Another speaker was Karen Hendershot, who serves as president of the League of Women Voters of Burlington County.
Hendershot told the new citizens there was a team of more than 30 volunteers ready after the ceremony to help register each new citizen to vote in the upcoming November election.
“I’m honored to welcome you as full participants in our cherished democracy,” Hendershot said.
