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40 people officially become US citizens

A long, sometimes nerve-wracking, process bore fruit Friday morning when 40 people representing 24 different countries were officially granted U.S. citizenship in a naturalization ceremony at the federal courthouse.

“We were first an example to the world of freedom, of liberty,” U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann told the crowd of soon-to-be citizens. “You inherit a great legacy and a great duty.”

The journey was longer and rougher for some than others but, for all, it was worthwhile.

“It was not a bad process for us,” said Afua Kempen, originally of Ghana.

Kempen’s husband, Chad, and daughter, Elyse, 2, sat by her side in support. Sharing the experience with her daughter was very important to her, she said.

“I was a little anxious, but here we are,” she said. “It’s a great honor.”

Raila Osmon, originally of Kyrgyzstan, grew up in the Soviet Union where her name was changed against her will. In addition to seeking citizenship, she applied for a formal name-change to return to her birth name.

The process took two years, said her husband, Nicholas Hentoff.

“It’s been nerve-wracking for me,” he said, but the status of citizenship adds to the air of celebration surrounding the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary this summer, he added.

Ranjana Mathur, of State College, originally from India, sat with her husband Gyanesh through the ceremony. It had been about six years since she first received her green card, but the time went by quickly, she said.

“This is the last thing,” she said excitedly.

Dr. Ashok Bhanushali, director of interventional radiology at Geisinger Medical Center, originally of India, was the journey speaker for the ceremony.

He told of his determination to make it in the United States back in 2002, despite his mother’s concerns.

“I told her, ‘I have my heart in this county and I’m always going to be with you, but give me a chance,'” he recalled. “This is the land of opportunity, the land of freedom.”

Without his parents’ support in addition to aid from his wife, extended family and professors, Bhanushali felt he wouldn’t have made it to that moment. His wife, Dr. Chaitali Shah, also a radiologist at Geisinger, supported him from afar, coming to the United States later than her beloved.

“In every step, there was hope and trust,” he said.

He noted the significance of becoming citizens ahead of Memorial Day weekend and thanked military members who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the rights of the American people.

“This country gave us a chance,” Bhanushali said. “All of you will remember this day. It is a proud moment.”

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