Hundreds of new citizens sworn in on July Fourth

by Sara Stogner · July 4, 2012 · 0 Comments

Over 500 candidates from 80 countries were sworn in as new U.S. citizens at the 28th Annual Naturalization Ceremony at the Seattle Center. The annual event marks the end of a multi-year process of naturalization that includes a civics and history exam, residency requirements, filing fees and background checks. The Philippines, India, Mexico, and Somalia had the highest numbers of candidates represented.

Alma Plancich, executive director of Ethnic Heritage Council and event organizer, encouraged the new citizens to find ways to preserve their culture in their new country. “You must never forget why you came to this country,” Plancich said, “Whatever it takes to remember where you come from.”

Candidates for U.S. citizenship wait to be sworn in at the 28th Annual Naturalization Ceremony on July 4th at the Seattle Center.

Over 500 candidates for U.S. citizenship from 80 countries gathered at the Seattle Center for a naturalization ceremony.

Gene Tagban, left, and Swill Kanim, right, open the naturalization ceremony with a Native American dance and musical performance.

The “Children of the World” wait in the wings to lead the pledge of allegiance with new citizens.

Bio
Twitter
Facebook
Latest Posts

Sara Stogner

Editor

Sara Stogner is an editor and visual journalist for The Seattle Globalist. She worked for several daily midwest newspapers including The Flint Journal, The Columbia Missourian and The Boone County Journal before moving to Seattle. Sara trains the next generation of journalists through the Globalist Apprenticeship Program and is a graduate of the Journalism School at the University of Missouri. Sarastogner.com