Seventy-five Ohioans and their families now have a new significance for July 4th after a special event in Archbold, Ohio.
From this moment forward, they will commemorate American freedom and the day they were granted citizenship in the United States on every Independence Day.
At Sauder Village, a naturalization ceremony was held to welcome 75 individuals from 37 countries as new American citizens. A hefty crowd gathered to witness this momentous occasion.
Muzeu Jonathan Bukasa, a newly naturalized U.S. citizen, expressed the sentiment that the journey towards citizenship was a long one for everyone involved. He described the experience of hearing the national anthem and reciting the pledge of allegiance as a powerful moment that evoked a sense of freedom within his body. Bukasa expressed his happiness at finally achieving citizenship.
Originally hailing from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bukasa immigrated to South Africa as a refugee before eventually making his way to the United States in 2018.
Bukasa expressed, “Things have been changing since I can remember, and now they have changed significantly.”
According to him, this marks the start of a new chapter in his life, filled with fresh prospects and opportunities.
Bukasa exclaimed that the moment was life-changing and expressed his excitement for what was to come.
Saady Amin, a new U.S. citizen, had the support of his family during the event. His sons, Raad and Arhan Amin, were present in the crowd, while his wife, Tahmina Mahmood, also obtained her citizenship. It was a family affair, with Arhan being an American citizen by birth, and Raad following in his father’s footsteps to become a citizen as well.
Amin expressed his excitement and gratitude, stating that everything about the experience felt incredibly special. He particularly highlighted the joy of having his wife by his side. Amin also shared his hope of being able to sponsor his son, and eagerly anticipated the possibility of his son gaining citizenship and completing the necessary paperwork within the year.
According to Raad, witnessing his parents receiving their citizenship felt like a moment of completion.
Raad reminisces about his earliest memory of flying to America, describing it as a thrilling experience akin to being on a rocketship as the engines whirred up and lifted off. He compares his current journey towards obtaining citizenship to finally touching down on the moon, a feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment.
According to Saady, the road to becoming a U.S. citizen has been quite a journey. He started by attending Ohio State University as an undergraduate student, then moved back to his home country of Bangladesh to start a family, before eventually returning to the United States. The entire process took a decade, but Saady is now proud to say that he has officially become a citizen of the United States.
Saady expressed that despite the challenges he faced, he believes that being in the United States is worth it. He feels a sense of pride in being an American citizen and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world.
According to Andi Herbskorn, the director of external engagement at Sauder Village, the naturalization ceremony held at the village is one of the most cherished events of the year. She also mentioned that this year’s ceremony was one of the largest the village has ever hosted.
According to Herbskorn, the graduation ceremony is a momentous occasion for both the graduates and their families. Sauder Village has been hosting this event for more than two decades, and it remains one of the most memorable days of the year.
After completing a lengthy journey, Bukasa, along with the Amin family and numerous others, can finally proclaim themselves as America’s latest citizens.
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