On the second floor of the Eldon B. Mahon U.S. Courthouse in downtown Fort Worth, the bright smiles of dozens of newly sworn-in U.S. citizens competed with the sunbeams spilling through the tall glass windows of the courtroom.
The group gathered inside the courthouse on Sept. 17 for a naturalization ceremony, marking the end of a long path to becoming a citizen. It’s a process that can span anywhere from three to six years, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — without even considering how long it can take to first attain a green card.
Robert L. Albritton, chairman of the Texas A&M University System’s Board of Regents, greets new citizens during a naturalization ceremony Sept. 17 at Eldon B. Mahon U.S. Courthouse in Fort Worth. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
There to greet the new citizens during the ceremony was the keynote speaker, Texas A&M System Chairman Robert Albritton. In his view, there was no better way to spend an afternoon that happened to coincide with Citizenship Day and Constitution Day.
“America has never been a country where everyone came from the same place, practiced the same faith, spoke with the same accent, or agreed on everything,” Albritton said. “What has held us together is something more fundamental. A shared commitment to our Constitution, to the rule of law and to the idea that people from different backgrounds can become one people and govern themselves.”
North Richland Hills resident Marlyn Riad, 30, reads an oath during a naturalization ceremony Sept. 17 at Eldon B. Mahon U.S. Courthouse in Fort Worth. Riad is originally from Egypt. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Queenie Belle Estrada-Pass was one of those new citizens smiling back at Albritton. The 31-year-old from the Philippines reflected on her long journey to citizenship, accompanied by her husband and 18-month-old daughter.
“I’m so overwhelmed,” Estrada-Pass said. “It’s been six years since we’ve married. It’s been a journey for me, and I’m so grateful and happy because I made this journey.”
Estrada-Pass described the journey as a roller coaster of emotions. She attributed her persistence in battling paperwork and uncertainty to her family and husband.
Along with Estrada-Pass’ homeland of the Philippines, other countries represented at the ceremony included Afghanistan, Brazil, Burma, China, Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Iraq, Laos, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam. The ceremony featured a presentation of colors from the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets color guard, the Pledge of Allegiance and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Afterward, the soon-to-be citizens recited the Oath of Allegiance to solidify the bond to their new country.
After the oath, the citizens walked to the front of the courtroom to receive their certificates from U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman as their loved ones cheered them on.
Fort Worth resident Anoushey Nagi, center, walks with her father Khalid Nagi, left, during his naturalization ceremony Sept. 17 at Eldon B. Mahon U.S. Courthouse in Fort Worth. Nagi comes from Pakistan. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Darell Moreno, who is originally from Mexico, was accompanied by her husband as she walked up to receive her certificate.
“It feels great. It’s been almost a decade now trying to figure this out, but I’m glad it came to a finale and I’m finally an American citizen,” Moreno said.
The prospect of a more comfortable life for her children and husband was the main driver for the 34-year-old to complete the prolonged and complex process, she said.
After the ceremony, Moreno said she looked forward to picking her kids up from school and having a celebratory dinner.
Fort Worth resident Darell Moreno, 34, walks up to receive a certificate during a naturalization ceremony Sept. 17 at Eldon B. Mahon U.S. Courthouse in Fort Worth. Moreno is originally from Mexico. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Jaime Trinidad, who is also a native of Mexico, said he felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and accomplishment at being the first in his family to gain citizenship in the U.S. The 24-year-old hopes to use his experience to guide the rest of his family through the process in the future.
“If I wanted to just say something to my younger self, who is (at a) crossroads with it: ‘Take that leap of faith. Whatever sacrifices you need to make to get to this point, it’s worth it,’” Trinidad said. “And, ask for help if you need it.”
One thing that Trinidad is looking forward to as a U.S. citizen is exercising his right to vote — something Pittman says is an important part of being an American.
Voting or responding to a jury summons can feel like an inconvenience or a sacrifice, Pittman said, but such civic duties are essential contributions to democracy.
U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman speaks to new citizens during a naturalization ceremony Sept. 17 at Eldon B. Mahon U.S. Courthouse in Fort Worth. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
“America is great not because it’s perfect. America is great because ordinary citizens like you continue to do their part,” Pittman told the new citizens. “They continue to believe in America’s ideals, and they continue to pass those ideals for the next generation.”
After the ceremony, many of the new citizens like Trinidad approached tables inside the courthouse to begin a new process — voter registration. Others were immediately greeted with balloons, tears and long, warm embraces. Children ran through the towering courtroom doors waving their mini U.S. flags excitedly to their parents, not yet knowing the weight of the door their parents opened into their next chapter.
Mica Magday is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at mica.magday@fortworthreport.org.
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