New citizens encouraged to vote during recent naturalization ceremony
Allyson Nacional leads the pledge of allegiance as her sister Marian DeMatera became an American Citizen during a naturalization ceremony at the Federal Court House in downtown Williamsport. The sisters were part of the ceremony where 29 individuals from 18 different countries became US Citizens. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Allyson Nacional, right holds a small American Flag as she and her sister Marian DeMatera smile at each other after DeMatera became an American Citizen during a naturalization ceremony at the Federal Court House in downtown Williamsport. The sisters were part of the ceremony where 29 individuals from 18 different countries became US Citizens. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Newly sworn in American Citizens smile and clap for each other during a naturalization ceremony at the Federal Court House in downtown Williamsport. The group in this ceremony were 29 individuals from 18 different countries became US Citizens. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Allyson Nacional leads the pledge of allegiance as her sister Marian DeMatera became an American Citizen during a naturalization ceremony at the Federal Court House in downtown Williamsport. The sisters were part of the ceremony where 29 individuals from 18 different countries became US Citizens. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Allyson Nacional, right holds a small American Flag as she and her sister Marian DeMatera smile at each other after DeMatera became an American Citizen during a naturalization ceremony at the Federal Court House in downtown Williamsport. The sisters were part of the ceremony where 29 individuals from 18 different countries became US Citizens. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Newly sworn in American Citizens smile and clap for each other during a naturalization ceremony at the Federal Court House in downtown Williamsport. The group in this ceremony were 29 individuals from 18 different countries became US Citizens. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Trending
There was an undercurrent of excitement and joy as 29 people who came to this country from 18 different countries around the world entered the court room at the Federal Building, ready to take an oath to become American citizens.
Their friends and family members were there to document the momentous occasion with photographs and videos and the smiles on everyone's faces were a testimony to the importance of the step they were taking.
The ceremony was presided over by the U.S. Magistrate Judge Sean Kamoni, who pointed out how different the naturalization proceedings are from what usually happens in his courtroom.
"Today is a joyful occasion and probably one of the few times that people are actually excited about coming to court," he said.
"This court was established and governed by the United States Constitution and preserves the rights of our citizens. Most days, in courtrooms like this one, we judges are called upon to make rulings that deal with those rights and especially in criminal cases, but today is a wonderful day for this court because today the court has the chance to bestow those rights on you all," he said.
"You all started out on different roads, but those roads led you here to become citizens of a great nation," he added.
Camoni shared memories of how during the pandemic, judges at the Scranton court house had stood on the street corner in all kinds of weather in their robes and masks to administer the oath of citizenship to one person at a time as the candidates drove up in their cars.
"That's just to show how seriously this court takes these ceremonies, and what we think of the importance of days like today," Camoni said.
Once the candidates repeated the oath of citizenship, they received their official documents and a United States flag from members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) who attend every naturalization ceremony to welcome the newest citizens of the United States. Then those new citizens joined others in the room in pledging allegiance to the American flag, led by nine-year-old Allyson Nacionale, whose father John and sister Marian Dematera became citizens.
John Nacionale said that he came to the U.S. because he and his wife, who are both nurses, felt there were more opportunities here than in their home country, the Philippines.
"It was in COVID times and we were trying to get here because we have friends that actually work here as nurses and live here," he said.
"So, we have an idea of what's going to happen when we get here and how many opportunities we're going to get as nurses over here. So we decided, let's do it," he added.
During every naturalization ceremony, a new citizen, known as the journey speaker, is chosen to speak for the group. Kusana Nanayakkara, who emigrated from Sri Lanka served as the journey speaker for this session.
"To me, personally, citizenship deepens my commitment to public service as an attorney," Nanayakkara said.
"Sometimes helping someone to understand their rights, guiding them to legal counsel, can make an enormous difference. So citizenship to me is giving back to our communities, helping those in need, standing up for fairness, justice and making a positive difference," she said.
In his remarks to the group, Camoni shared about his family history and his ancestors who had the courage to strike out from their homeland to start a new life in this country. He called them family legends.
"We remember them. Some, like my Nona because we grew up with them as a huge part of our lives. Some we remember through stories and pictures and memories passed down from generation to generation. We reverse that memory and we hold such gratitude to them for changing the course of our families' history," Carmoni said.
"That's what you are now, whether for your children, present or future, for those you left behind or joined here, or for yourselves alone.You are that brave soul who ventured out to start a new life in a land of opportunity," he said.
Camoni praised immigrants for the contributions they have made to this country in the arts, literature and traditions they bring.
"So many generations of new Americans bring in new dreams and energy and new life from the old country," he said.
He pointed out that despite all the contributions that immigrants have made to this country's way of life, there have always been those who oppose immigration.
"Today is no different. There have always been moments when claiming that immigrants cause harm to our communities and act as a drain on our resources. Happily, history has unfailingly proven those naysayers wrong. Immigration is a boon to our economy and a blessing to our national culture," he said.
"To those of you who faced such opposition, who heard such negative messages, and made your way here anyway, I say, good for you. Thank you for persevering in the face of opposition. To most of us, America is still the land of opportunity. It has always been, because here still lives the promise that the freedoms of speech, of thought, of self-determination and government of the people, and the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness belong to everyone equally, regardless of wealth or station, gender or race, faith or lack thereof, or your national origin," he said.
He reminded the group that as new citizens they need to exercise their civic duties -- voting in elections and serving on juries -- in order to preserve those rights.
"Pay attention to what is going on around you, and in local and state government, and Washington D.C. What our elected leaders do, they do in your names now that you are citizens too. So make your voices heard, and most importantly, live well, live free. Congratulations and welcome, as I am proud to call you all now my fellow Americans," he added.