MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Ninety-nine service members from 33 different countries became America’s newest citizens Sept. 17, as they took the U.S. Oath of Allegiance at Camp Pendleton’s South Mesa Club.
Congressional, Marine Corps and federal immigration officials were among the 400 in attendance that witnessed U.S. District Judge Barbara L. Major declare the Marines, sailors and soldiers born around the globe, U.S. citizens.
Each year the president issues a proclamation asking Americans, both native born and naturalized, to pause on September 17th and rededicate ourselves to our country and to the principles upon which it was founded, said Gena M. Moreno, an immigration specialist with Camp Pendleton’s Joint Legal Assistance Office.
“I can think of no more fitting way to do that than during a naturalization ceremony where we'll weave our newest citizens into the American tapestry,” said Moreno, quoting the former U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services director Eduardo Aguirre.
Rosa Peralta, mother of fallen Navy Cross recipient and Medal of Honor nominee Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta, sat in the audience as an honored guest, remembering her son’s rededication at a similar ceremony before deploying to Iraq in 2003. Twenty-five-year-old Sgt. Peralta threw himself on a grenade to save the lives of his comrades during a house-to-house firefight in Fallujah.
The law-binding event was conducted like most courtroom proceedings as those in attendance were called to order and instructed to rise while the judge took the podium.
Major then ordered the court to recognize the San Diego District Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Paul M. Pierre to make his recommended motion.
Pierre took to the microphone and confirmed that all 99 candidates had been examined by USCIS and were qualified to become U.S. citizens. Of these applicants, five have requested a name change, he added.
“Your honor, the government now moves that all applicants be granted United States citizenship subject to the taking of the Oath of Allegiance and that the request for name change be granted,” Pierre said in his requested motion.
And within moments Major leaned into her microphone and replied, “And that motion is granted.”
The active-duty nationals were then asked to stand and bear U.S. allegiance once more with the Revolutionary War-era oath to confirm their citizenship.
Every applicant’s right hand rose as the oath began in unison and fell at its end.
“You are now full and equal citizens of the finest and freest country of the world,” Major declared from the stage.
The international audience erupted in an extended applause as recently sworn citizens congratulated each other.
“As a citizen of the United States you now enjoy all of the rights, freedoms and privileges provided by U.S. laws and constitution,” she said.
Recently sworn citizen and Jamaican national, Gunnery Sgt. Kevin L. Jones was one of the three later recognized for his two deployments and military peace keeping contribution to the Middle East.
“I can now let my voice be heard by voting in any future government elections,” Jones said reflecting on his new opportunities as a citizen. “Today’s ceremony meant a lot to me for the simple fact that I can now call myself a full fledged U.S. citizen.”
I encourage any military service member who isn’t currently a U.S. citizen to apply, he added. Once you have that certificate in hand so many doors will open and remain open long after they leave the military.