CRATER LAKE, Ore.– On a mildly smoky morning at Watchman Overlook in Crater Lake National Park, 12 foreign-born candidates became new citizens of the United States during a naturalization ceremony Saturday.
Considered a special ceremony held at the location once per year, the 12 new Americans were washed with emotions as they were handed their certificates acknowledging them as full-fledged citizens.
“It’s an honor, it really is an honor. This is the land of opportunity,” said Kiril Simov, a Bulgarian who came to the U.S. for college in 2001. “The country that everybody is dreaming about and being a part of it is a true honor and a privilege.”
During the ceremony, a representative of Crater Lake National Park gave a speech of what having this ceremony at a national park means. There, at Watchman Overlook, seeing the vast landscape of Crater Lake, the location is meant to signify the land these new citizens will inherit and care for.
“Places that in other countries would be owned by the elite and off limits to the common,” said Superintendent Craig Ackerman, Crater Lake National Park. “But here, they’re yours to have and to hold and to pass on to your children and grandchildren.”
Hailing from seven different countries such as India, China, Mexico, Belgium and the U.K., each citizen will be adding their part to the Great American Experiment.
“Our country is based on immigrants, it’s a diverse country,” said Richard Miller, Portland field office director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. “To bring new citizens in, people from different backgrounds from all over the world, I mean, I think it’s what makes our country great.”
For the new citizens, the duty that comes with being an American is what makes many proud and excited for the future.
“We are so proud that we are now U.S. citizen,” said Jaswand Singh, who came from India. “That’s great achievement. Feels great as a matter a fact.”
From happiness to immense gratitude, these new citizens, based in areas across Oregon say they are appreciative of the chance they’ve received.
According to Simov, he’s glad he can call this place home now and it’s that key word that makes the whole process worth it.
“It’s always felt like home but you know now I am…,” said Martha Ramirez, a Rogue Valley resident from Mexico. “I don’t know what the proper word is but it’s home. I can say this is my home.”
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