30 new citizens welcomed home, bestowed U.S. citizenship at WSUV ceremony

It was an emotional day for Thao Nguyen. She misses her family in Vietnam, but now she can register to vote, travel with a United States passport and ensure she stays in the country where her daughter grew up.

“It’s tough, but I’m happy,” she said.

On Thursday, Nguyen became a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony at Washington State University Vancouver held in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Nguyen stood with her hand on her heart along with 29 others from Australia, Canada, China, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Moldova, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Tonga, Uganda, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

It’s the first time since the pandemic that the Vancouver campus has hosted an in-person ceremony, said Hannes Geiger, Immigration Services officer.

Geiger said he knows how special naturalization ceremonies are from personal experience. He moved to the U.S. from Austria in 2009.

“Every time I hear candidates take the oath and hear the ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ it takes me back to that time when I became a citizen,” he said.

Citizenship can be a long process. Immigration Services has to ensure candidates demonstrate good moral character and an understanding of the English language as well as know the history and government of the United States.

Children attending the ceremony cheered for their parents when their names were called. The kids waved flags and whispered to each other in different languages. When their parents became citizens, so did they, if they weren’t already.

Moreno Berretta, originally from Florence, Italy, held his 1½-year-old daughter in one hand and his certificate in another. At his feet, his two young sons twirled flags.

Berretta said it feels great to finally become a U.S. citizen after moving to Brush Prairie to be with his wife five years ago.

“It’s beautiful,” he said.

Margaret Rosenast, Portland field director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, encouraged the new citizens to engage in community services, such as volunteering at a local food bank.

“Work hard, serve your communities, and together we can continue to make the United States a great country,” Rosenast said.

Nguyen said she’s looking forward to contributing to her community. She moved to Hazel Dell five years ago to be with her husband and now has a 3-year-old daughter.

With tears in her eyes, she stood with her family in front of the American flag, pausing to hug her daughter before another photo.

“We’re all from different backgrounds, and we came here to be happy,” Nguyen said.