Dozens become U.S. citizens at ceremony in Jackson
JACKSON, Tenn. — Approximately 50 people from 28 different countries became United States citizens Monday. A special naturalization ceremony took place at Liberty Technology Magnet High School. “This is a great honor to be an American citizen,” Elias Adm, a new U.S. citizen, said. Adm is originally from Ethiopia and said he moved to the U.S. about 15 years ago. “Opportunities, freedom of speech,” he said. “There are so many reasons.” Adm and others vowed to defend the constitution. U.S. District Court Clerk Tom Gould administered the oath of allegiance. “Many of these people come to this country with nothing, no money, no resources, few contacts,” he said. Gould said becoming a U.S. citizen is an expensive five to seven year process that requires applicants to pass tests. “They learn constitutional law,” he said. “They learn civics. They learn U.S. history.” During the ceremony judges encouraged the new naturalized citizens to exercise their right to vote. “This is a positive experience these people have done it the way the constitution recognizes and we want the students to see an alternative to all the problems we hear about in the news,” Gould said. They come in immigrants, but leave U.S. citizens. “It’s a great privilege and a great honor,” Adm said. Monday‘s ceremony took place at Liberty Tech, so students could sit in and observe.
