34 People Become New U.S. Citizens After Naturalization Ceremony

On June 1, in the courtroom on the second floor of the O.C. Fisher Building, 34 people stood proudly during a Naturalization Ceremony that made them officially citizens of the United States. Friends and families of these new citizens came to show support for their loved ones taking this important milestone in their lives.

The Honorable Judge E. Scott Frost presided over the ceremony and gave an opening speech that every honoree held their head up high for.

“This is the final step of the Naturalization process for those of you who have met all the requirements to become citizens of this country, and it is an honor for me to be residing over this ceremony today,” said Judge Frost.

The courtroom was full of people from diverse cultures, including Burma, Cambodia, Canada, Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Philippines, Syria, Thailand, three people from Nepal, two from South Korea, two from the United Kingdom, and 18 from Mexico. As the recommendations and approval of order granting citizenship took place and no one objected to any of the participants becoming citizens, it was time for the oath. As Judge Frost read the oath, these men and women listened, and when asked if they would honor it, all responded "I do!" in harmony.

One of San Angelo LIVE!’s own, Cameron Niblock, took the oath and received his certificate of citizenship.

“It was a very humbling experience overall, just to have the opportunity to be there with fellow candidates who were going up for naturalization,” Cameron said. “And just to finally be approved has been a great way to finally end this process.”

Cameron has been working on getting his citizenship since January and has had three separate appointments back and forth from other Texas cities.

“Now that I am a citizen, I want to vote in the up and coming election," he said with excitement. "I think a big part of being an American is voting and using your voice because that is one of the rights of being an American.”

In addition to these 34 people taking their oath of citizenship, Tom Green County Judge Ben Nolan went up to the podium and gave a speech on how, even though his family has been in the United States for generations, it is important to know who it starts with; and for the families there, he said it will start with them. This is an honor that the families of these individuals will now get for generations to come, he noted.

“For all of you [who] are here, this has been a long path, and you have worked very hard, studied, dedicated time, been patient, and filled out forms and more forms to get where you are today," said Judge Nolan. "You now are at the exciting moment where you get to raise your hand and take the oath that you have waited so long to officially do. Now we are all the same; we are all United States citizens.”

After this special address, all the applicants stood and said the Pledge of Allegiance to signify the loyalty each new citizen has for the United States. Additionally, the new citizens were called up to the podium individually to shake the hands of Judge Nolan and Judge Scott Frost, and to collect their U.S. citizenship certificates. The excitement on everyone’s face was engraved in the pictures that families and friends took as they each came up and collected that piece of paper that signified their hard work and allegiance.

Bertha Mendoza, another new citizen, said, “I think it is very important to become a U.S. citizen because I will have more benefits and it will help me prepare for when I am older.” Bertha said she is originally from Mexico.

Anahi Villarruel Jimenez was the youngest person to get a citizenship certificate. She said, “Getting the opportunity to vote is the reason I pushed so hard to become a citizen. It is also more beneficial for me to apply for college scholarships and other things in that nature.”

To rap up the ceremony, Congressman Mike Conaway honored Joanne Powell, a long-time local congressional staffer. He said she has devoted many years of public service to the people in her community. She also has the loyalty and tenacity to do what she sets her mind to, which is helping others.

“Joanne is the longest standing member of my staff and has been a longtime congressional staffer, and she has been such a blessing for many,” said Conaway. “We hope she continues to be a blessing and a help for many years to come.”

Overall, the naturalization process is a long one, but for these new citizens, including Cameron, it was worth the right to call themselves citizens of the Unites States.