They traveled different paths — some years long — from 38 countries to reach the Jaguars game Sunday at TIAA Bank Field in downtown Jacksonville.
The 65 immigrants became United States citizens during halftime as the Jaguars hosted a naturalization ceremony. The ceremony was held in partnership with the federal judges of the U.S. District Court of the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Jacksonville.
It apparently was the first naturalization ceremony conducted at a NFL game, according to the Jaguars.
U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard, who administered the naturalization oath of allegiance to the immigrants, noted the significance of event.
“As the daughter of naturalized citizens, I have always found naturalization ceremonies to be incredibly meaningful, and over the years, our court has tried to expand the educational experience of attending a naturalization ceremony to larger audiences. We are so pleased that the Jaguars share our appreciation for these important ceremonies,” Howard said before the ceremony.
Standing together in the center of the field, the immigrants raised their right hands and swore the oath as their loved ones and thousands of fans looked on. Many fans then gave them a standing ovation and cheered in welcome. Together, fans and participants each placed their hand over their heart as they recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Coming to the U.S. from around the world, the immigrants ranged in age from 18 to 63. They included four members of the U.S. military and a husband and wife who took the oath together, the Jaguars said.
Their original countries were Germany, Venezuela, Canada, Russia, Jamaica, Philippines, Dominican Republic, Albania, Israel, Italy, Cote D’Ivoire, Nepal, Mexico, Belize, Uruguay, Liberia, India, Iraq, Cuba, Panama, New Zealand, Colombia, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Vietnam, Dominica, Congo (Kinshasa), Nigeria, Ethiopia, Fiji Islands, Peru, Sudan, China, Guatemala, Kenya, Nicaragua and the Bahamas.
In Jacksonville, federal judges host a naturalization ceremony every month in the Ceremonial Courtroom of the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse.
During those ceremonies, immigrants who have worked for years to fulfill the arduous requirements of U.S. citizenship swear their allegiance to the country and receive their naturalization certificate — the final step in becoming a citizen.
Each month, the judges invite a school or community organization to participate in, or witness, the meaningful, often emotional, ceremony. That provides students as well as adults with a learning experience about what it means to be a U.S. citizen, according to the judges.
