By Tiffany Morgan, The Dominion Post
CLARKSBURG — Chatter, family, friends and soon-to-be American citizens filled the second floor courtroom at the U.S. Courthouse & Post Office Building in Clarksburg Friday June 1.
With a welcome from United States District Judge Irene Keeley, followed by an invocation from Pastor Valerie Gittings the ceremony began.
For Keeley, it is her 26th year holding the ceremony and she commended each person for taking the time in becoming an American citizen.
Keeley said the process of becoming an American citizen is long and requires those involved to learn the English language and take a test.
“Our new American citizens have studied for a year to learn about our form of government and about what the requirements and obligations that being an American citizen includes,” Keeley said.
“They take a very arduous and rigorous test and they have to be able to speak English efficiently to communicate as an American citizen in English.”
Keeley is fond of those who go through the process to become a part of such a unique and special ceremony.
“The requirements are very stringent and for those of us who were born American, we don’t appreciate how much work goes into becoming a naturalized American citizen,” Keeley said. “I have the greatest admiration for them. These people who’ve made a decision to become American citizens, they’ve worked hard, they followed the rules, they passed the test, and we warmly welcome them.”
After the citizens received their certificates, Gittings encouraged them to continue to keep their own heritage alive as they live in America, and to further their own traditions while now U.S. citizens.
There were 13 citizens, from 11 countries at the ceremony. From Spain to the Philippines, it’s been a long process for each like Area Belalcazar and her husband Bernardo Garcia.
“We are really happy. Now becoming a citizen, this opens a lot of doors for us that were kind of closed before and we’re just happy to be here,” Area Belalcazar said.
For the Belalcazars, the process has been over a span of 11 years, but it is something they are quite delighted about.
“It’s a long process that a lot of people don’t know about,” she said. “It was 11 years for us to be able to be where we are today, so for us it’s something big. We’re really happy and excited about it and it’s been something we’ve been waiting for a long time.”
Chang Lee, the youngest at the ceremony to become an American citizen, said he was appreciative for the opportunities afforded him.
“I felt somewhat overwhelmed with joy and I also felt thankful to the United States for giving me an opportunity to study here and allowing me to become a doctor here as well,” Lee said.
“I’m somewhat sad that I lost my bondage to my home country, South Korea, but I appreciated what the pastor said that it’s not like I’m going to lose that forever,” Lee said. “It’ll be my job to stay connected with my family and friends back in Korea.”
Lee added that he is grateful to be a resident in the U.S.
“As a medical resident, life can be challenging at times but at the end of the day I’m just thankful that I have this opportunity to serve other people,” Lee said. “I feel thankful every day.”
