Nearly 100 Sworn in as U.S. Citizens in Malden

Ninety-seven people from 34 countries became U.S. citizens during a swearing-in ceremony Thursday at the Malden Senior Community Center.

The ceremony, which started at 11 a.m. Oct. 24, got underway when Samantha Stoutenburg, a clerk with the U.S. District Court in the District of Massachusetts, held the opening of the court. Shortly thereafter, she called for the posting of the colors by the Malden Police Honor Guard.

Musician Jeantilus Gedeus gave a rousing rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" to the hundreds in attendance at the ceremony prior to President and CEO of The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. Diane Portnoy's opening remarks.

Since the Immigrant Learning Center opened in November 1992, the school has been able to help 7,600 people from 118 countries become U.S. citizens, according to Portnoy. 

"I, too, understand what a special day this is. You see, I'm also an immigrant" Portnoy said, adding that her parents were from Poland and how they lost their families during World War II. "I was born the year after World War II ended, and when I was 3 1/2 I emigrated to the United States...By the time we arrived (by boat) to Ellis Island, I was so sick that the officials did not let me into the country and my mother and I had to spend over a week in an hospital on Ellis Island.

"Obviously I got better and by the time they released us, my parents and I moved here to Malden where I grew up."

Portnoy recalled the challenges her family encountered upon moving to the United States given the fact that no one could speak English. 

"My parents did not know the culture and customs of this country and it was very, very difficult," she said. "I went to school and I learned English, but there were no free schools for my parents and there certainly was no money to go to school, but somehow they learned English, they found jobs, they worked hard and they made a very good life for themselves, for me and for my brother who was born in this country."

Portnoy said she can still remember the day her parents became citizens when she was 8 1/2 years old, when they were sworn in during a ceremony in Boston.

"They were very excited and happy to become citizens, and they always voted after that," she said. "A few months later we went back to Boston and I received my citizenship papers and I still have those papers. 

"Please remember today no matter what country you are from, whether you are old or young, rich or poor, a man or a woman, no matter your religion or the color of your skin, you are an American," she added.

During the motion of the court, Acting District Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Kenneth Sherman offered some brief remarks.

"I hope you all will cherish not only citizenship but also the obligations that it brings with it," he said. 

Shortly thereafter, the group stood up, raised their right hand in the air and recited the Oath of Allegiance during the swearing-in ceremony. 

Mayor Gary Christenson welcomed the newest U.S. citizens, who could be seen holding small American flags. Leading a city as diversified as Malden is, with many of its residents speaking over 60 different languages, Christenson recalled an anecdote from a speech he prepared for a special occasion in the city.

After preparing and giving a speech in Mandarin, Christenson asked the event organizer how he did and they told him "you did OK except everyone here speaks Cantonese," he said, drawing a chorus of laughter from the group.

"It has been a challenge but a very big reward in my second year as mayor," Christenson said. "I believe our diversity is our greatest strength, and so I'm thrilled to be with you all this morning.

"...It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the City of Malden as fellow Americans."

Following the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance by the Immigrant Learning Center's Board of Trustees Chairman Arthur Koumantzelis, the group watched a video with remarks from President Barack Obama.

"...Today marks a very special day in your life," Obama said in the video. "You've traveled a long path to get here, you've sworn a solemn oath to this country and now have all the rights of citizenship."

Immediately following Obama's remarks, the group watched a video matched with Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American," as some could be seen quietly singing along with the song.

At the conclusion of the event, Gedeus played piano while students from the Immigrant Learning Center sang "God Bless America."

Following the ceremony, Christenson discussed some of the highlights from the day.

"As they approached me after the ceremony was over, you could just see how pleased they were to have this opportunity, and I look forward to working with all of them to continue to make our nation the greatest in the world," he said. 

The citizens sworn in during the ceremony were from the following countries: Albania, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, People's Republic of China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iran, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Morocco, Philippines, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Check out images from the U.S. citizenship swearing-in ceremony in Malden on Thursday.