Chicago's Wrigley Field, renowned for baseball, hosted a different kind of historic event on Thursday: a large-scale naturalization ceremony for immigrants from around the globe. As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, 977 individuals from 109 countries took the oath to become American citizens. Among those who marked their new beginning was Belmont Cragin resident Jairo Muñoz, a native of Guerrero, Mexico, who moved to the US almost 13 years ago.
Senator Dick Durbin was present to welcome the new citizens, emphasizing America's enriched cultural landscape due to their presence, despite a backdrop of stricter immigration policies. As Durbin put it, "You are welcomed to this country, and we are a better country because you’re here." Meanwhile, President Trump proposed a census change to exclude undocumented immigrants, a move that has drawn concern from advocates and immigrants alike. Several attendees at the ceremony were motivated to proudly embrace their new status, ready to fully engage in the civic life of their chosen nation.
The ceremony held particular significance against current political tensions and immigration enforcement actions, such as a recent agreement to expand detention capacity in Indiana, the Chicago Sun-Times noted. For new citizen Jocelynn Carey, originally from Canada, Trump's census announcement felt dehumanizing. She expressed her distress, stating, "To say you don’t count because you don’t have documents, it’s not what this country was founded on." Carey, along with others, found the ceremony's inclusiveness a counterpoint to the contentious climate surrounding immigration.
Reflecting the diversity of stories amongst the candidates, the ABC 7 Chicago reported on individuals like Lisa Bowgren of Canada, who, after 26 years, decided to take the step to become a U.S. citizen, along with Oscarelia Olivacce from Venezuela, who searched for opportunity and encourages others to embark on the naturalization process. Congressman Mike Quigley also celebrated the diversity of aspirations among the new citizens, saying, "You're here because you sought to pursue the American dream, and I know that dream looks different for all of you."
Immigrant advocates were at the event too, to immediately get the new citizens registered to vote. It was a moment where the collective aspiration to contribute to the American tapestry found expression through naturalization, a reminder that, despite policy debates and politics, the pursuit of the American dream continues unabated for many. "It means I am part of the American family, and I can get to vote in the next election," Luke Samuel Hong of Canada told ABC 7 Chicago, encapsulating the sentiment of many who celebrated that day at Wrigley Field.
