Naturalized in an Oakland landmark, new citizens share their stories
on October 22, 2013
For thousands of immigrants each month, the last stop on the road to U.S. citizenship happens not in a fluorescent-lit federal building, but in the gilded halls of Oakland’s Paramount Theatre.
For the last several years, the downtown landmark has been hosting up to two naturalization ceremonies a month, under the guidance of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The most recent one, which took place on Wednesday, Oct. 16, drew more than 1,200 people from 101 countries. For many, the ceremony was the last step in a years- or even decades-long journey.
Oakland North talked with these new U.S. citizens just after the event ended.
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- The naturalization ceremonies in Oakland’s Paramount Theatre frequently draw more than 1,200 people.
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Oakland North is an online news service produced by students at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and covering Oakland, California. Our goals are to improve local coverage, innovate with digital media, and listen to you–about the issues that concern you and the reporting you’d like to see in your community. Please send news tips to: oaklandnorthstaff@gmail.com.
How lucky all of the immigrants are. We can hear how joyfully they share that they have their new homes in USA or be Americans.