United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

"At Least I Know I'm Free"

 

Jan Setzekorn shares her personal account of the day Bak Horng Minh became a citizen. 
Do you have what it takes to
become a naturalized citizen?
 
To become a U.S. citizen through the process known as naturalization, you must:
• have lived in the United States as a lawful               permanent resident for at least five years        
• have been physically present in the US for at least   half of the last five years
• have lived in the district or state where filing your     application for at least three months
• are at least 18 years old
• have good moral character
• are able to speak, read, and write in English

Here are the steps you'll need to follow:
 
1)  Complete a citizenship application on USCIS          Form N-400 and send it in with a copy of your          permanent residence card, required photos, and      the filing fee.
2)  Wait to be called in for a fingerprint appointment.
3)  Attend that appointment and have your                    fingerprints taken.
4) Wait to be called for an interview appointment. 
5)  Attend your interview appointment, where your        English language ability and knowledge of U.S.        history and government will be tested verbally.
6)  Wait.  If you have passed the interview, you'll          receive an appointment for your naturalization          ceremony.
7) Attend your ceremony, take the oath of                   citizenship, and become a citizen!

The ICE agent jumped on top of the retaining wall and directed the line of immigrants to proceed into the trailer ahead. “Have your permanent residence cards out and surrender them to the person at the door!”

  

No, this wasn’t an immigration raid or deportation or something out of NCIS.  It was the beginning of a very special day for Bak Horng Minh , a day that began five years ago when he left Cambodia and arrived in the United States.  On this day he would give up his permanent residence card (which used to be called a Green Card) so that he could enter that room and become a citizen of the United States.  Along with 41 other immigrants from 27 different countries, Horng waited patiently then proceeded into the trailer followed by his supporters, including his good friend and two of the Cooperative Ministries tutors who helped him learn English.

After a brief video showing the Statue of Liberty we all stood to sing the National Anthem, then the immigrants who had already passed their interview stood to recite the Oath of Citizenship:

 

"I hereby declare, on oath,

that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and
fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty,
of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; 
 

that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;

that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law;

that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the
United States when required by the law;
 
that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction
when required by the law;
 

and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion;

so help me God."

New citizens and old, we stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the traditional flag-waving to Lee Greenwood singing  Proud To Be An American!  …  “where at least I know I’m free”  brought a quiver to the lip and tears to the eyes of the woman from Slovakia seated next to me. 

The finale began with the words, “Formerly from Morocco, Haiti, Colombia, Albania, Sweden, United Kingdom, Cuba, Samoa” … patiently, we  waited to hear, ”Formerly from Cambodia….Bak Horng Minh”  As Horng rose to receive his Certificate of Naturalization, five of us followed with five cameras to record the event.  Smiles were everywhere.    

No matter how many times I am fortunate enough to be invited to a swearing-in, each one is profoundly moving and a reminder of our mission at Cooperative Ministries.  And Horng tells us he is so glad to be rid of his residence card and be a citizen!

 

A few quick facts on Citizenship

 *   The Department of Homeland Security oversees ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

*   An immigrant must live here as a Legal Permanent Resident for 5 years before applying for                Citizenship (see more details on the right)

* 619,913 immigrants became US citizens (naturalized) in 2010

 
Sample Questions from the
Citizenship Interview
 
What are the colors of our flag?
 
What do the stars on the flag stand for?
 
What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War?
 
Who elects the President of the United States?
 
What do we call a change to the Constitution?
 
Can you name the two senators from your state?
 
What is the executive branch of our government?
 
Can you name the thirteen original states?
 
What is the head executive of a state government?
 
What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence?
 
Name one purpose of the United Nations?
 
What is the most important right granted to U.S. citizens?