Payne, Jr. Congratulates New Citizens at Naturalization Ceremony in Newark
Newark, N.J. – Today, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) delivered the keynote address welcoming 71 new American citizens at a naturalization ceremony in Newark hosted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
“We are a nation of immigrants, and it is our rich history of immigration that has strengthened this country generation after generation. That history is now your history—a history you will help write as you begin your journey as Americans,” Congressman Payne, Jr. said in his remarks. “You are called to embrace the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. You now have what President Obama referred to as the ‘hard work of active citizenship’—to serve your communities, to exercise your right to vote, to fight for the rights of others.”
After Congressman Payne, Jr. delivered his remarks, USCIS District Director John E. Thompson presented the candidates for naturalization and USCIS Newark Field Office Director Randi C. Borgen administered the oath of allegiance.
“Despite the divisive language we hear today, America is great because of our history of immigration, and our commitment to equality and diversity,” Congressman Payne, Jr. added. “Immigration is not just woven into the fabric of America; it is the foundation of the American story, the source of so much of our progress.”
The 71 new citizens sworn in during the ceremony originated from 32 countries: Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Venezuela.