Thirty one people became United States citizens in Buffalo Friday. The naturalization ceremony took place at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site located on Delaware Avenue.
Two naturalization ceremonies take place each year at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural site. During the ceremony participants recite the oath of allegiance to the United States of America. A reenactment of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidential inauguration was included as part of the ceremony. The new citizens also sang the national anthem and recited the pledge of allegiance.
Brigitte Mancuso was born in Germany. She came to the U.S. with her husband 28 years ago. Mancuso says this was a very emotional and exciting day.
“It was a long journey, but a fore scene journey. It didn’t really take as long as I expected it to be [before I became a citizen.] It kind of when fast, but the decision came and I’m glad,” said Mancuso.
The candidates received a citizenship certificate at the event, along with an American flag and information about voting. Nadia Nzigiyimana lived as a refugee in Rwanda before coming to the U.S. 9 years ago. She says she’s proud to be able to finally call herself an American.
“I feel so great. I feel happy. I feel like a new person, because I will have a country in which I can call my country, because I was born a refugee. Now I will have a country. I’m so happy,” said Nzigiyimana.
Xiaoxi Wei came to the U.S. from China to pursue her PhD in Chemistry at the University at Buffalo. She says now that she’s a citizen she will continue to pursue the American dream.
“This has been a very pleasant journey for me. I really enjoy being a citizen. I feel very proud to be part of this country. Since I’ve become an American citizen I will always support this country and I will contribute to this country and make it better,” said Wei.
Wei received her PhD in Chemistry this past June. The candidates represented at the event were from counties such as Albania, Argentina, Bangladesh, Burma, Burundi, Canada, People’s Republic of China, Germany, Grenada, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Ukraine and Turkey.