61 people become U.S. citizens during ceremony at Red Rock
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, Bureau of Land Management, and Friends of Red Rock Canyon welcomed 61 new citizens Saturday morning at a naturalization ceremony at Red Rock.
Nurul Evita, from Jakarta Indonesia, was overjoyed to become a U.S. Citizen after 14 years.
“I came here from a green card lottery in 2010,” she said. “Finally, it’s today.”
Evita works as a manager at a retail store at Harry Reid International Airport and told 8 News Now that she looks forward to more open doors.
“They left behind security, their home, food, neighbors to make the journey to the United States of America,” Congresswoman Susie Lee said, congratulating the group. “We are a nation born of immigrants and to welcome 61 new citizens is an honor.”
Lee also encouraged the new Americans to vote with voter registration taking place after the ceremony.
61 people from 20 different countries celebrated U.S. citizenship at Red Rock Canyon Saturday morning. (KLAS/Lauren Negrete) 61 people from 20 different countries celebrated U.S. citizenship at Red Rock Canyon Saturday morning. (KLAS/Lauren Negrete) 61 people from 20 different countries celebrated U.S. citizenship at Red Rock Canyon Saturday morning. (KLAS/Lauren Negrete) 61 people from 20 different countries celebrated U.S. citizenship at Red Rock Canyon Saturday morning. (KLAS/Lauren Negrete)
“Many overcoming violence, poverty, making that trek and then getting here and doing it legally,” Lee said as she talked about commemorating the journey and celebrating with their families.
The 61 citizenship candidates are from 20 different countries including Bulgaria, Cameroon, Columbia, Cuba, El Salvador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, France, Guatemala, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
Iris Jones, executive director of the Governor’s Office of New Americans listed the requirements including holding a green card for five years, passing an English and civic test, and paying the fees.
Jones shared why some are hesitant to become a U.S. citizen.
“It is not about leaving something behind. Quite the opposite, it is adding a new culture and country that you love and loves you back,” she said
That is how Evita sees it.
“I’ve been living here for 14 years, this is my country now. I like it here, it is free country, land of opportunity but I will never forget Indonesia as my home country too,” Evita said.
USCIS welcomed 878,500 new citizens in fiscal year 2023 during naturalization ceremonies held across the United States and around the world.
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