Alberto Pacheo, left from Portugal, and 20 other individuals from nine countries are sworn in as citizens at a ceremony held at the Immigrants’ Assistance Center, New Bedford – Photo by Peter Perreira
She set foot on American soil in 2001, a French-speaking, Senegalese single mother, 10-year-old daughter by her side. She had never had a formal job.
Now in New Bedford, working, married, and mother to a second child, Soukeye Diarra became a U.S. citizen on Friday.
“Today I have my citizenship. Inside I am happy,” she said.
She and 20 others from across the globe took the oath of naturalization at the Immigrants’ Assistance Center in New Bedford, on the second floor of a graceful brick former schoolhouse. The new Americans came from nine nations: Bolivia, Cape Verde, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Haiti, Morocco, Portugal, Senegal and Vietnam.
Some came as adults, some as children.
Luis Bolarinho, who lives in Dartmouth, came from the Azorean island of Sao Miguel with his parents at 8 years old. It was 1978. He attended New Bedford public schools and is married with three children.
“I’ve always felt I was part of America,” he said. “This just puts the icing on the cake.”
A builder by trade, Bolarinho said he wants to vote and defend the Constitution. Citizenship gives him more confidence that he really belongs, he said, and he is looking forward to traveling abroad with a U.S. passport and saying he’s a U.S. citizen.
“It’s an honor to be one,” he said.
This story by Jennette Barnes appeared first in the Standard Times on 07/21/2017 – HERE
The Superior Court judge who administered the oath, Raffi N. Yessayan, knows what it’s like to be part of an immigrant family. Born in Lebanon of Armenian descent, he came to the United States with his parents at 2 years old, the youngest of seven children.
Giving the oath is the one of the best parts of his job, he said.
“I think about my parents, leaving everything that they knew, to bring their kids here for opportunity,” he said, his voice filled with emotion. “So, I’m — this should let you know that your kids can do whatever they want in this country. If they work hard, if they study hard, they can succeed.
“Welcome, my fellow Americans,” he said.
After remarks by New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, presentation of certificates, and retirement of the colors by the New Bedford High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, the new citizens filed into an adjacent room for an informal reception, complete with a cake decorated in red, white, and blue.
Tears and hugs were the order of the day for Maria Medeiros, 50, of Fall River, and the extended family who congratulated her after the ceremony.
Medeiros came from the Azorean island of Terceira at the age of 8. She said she always wanted to be a citizen, but the burden of the $725 fee held her back.
“This is the country that raised me,” she said.
She was worried about the civics test, which covers rights, freedoms, U.S. history, and current government. But she had help from her 26-year-old son, Nicholas Medeiros. Using his phone, he sent test questions to his mom and her girlfriend, and the three of them would make a game of trying to answer them. Clearly, she passed the test.
“I’m overwhelmed with everything, excited,” she said. “I’ve been wanting this for so long.”
A few minutes later, the reception room started to empty out.
The soft-spoken mom from Senegal knew where she was going. She has Fridays off from her job as a personal care attendant, so she was off to get her nails done and then to a rare treat: a movie.
“Today, I’m going to spoil myself,” she said. “This week is my week.”
This story by Jennette Barnes appeared first in the Standard Times on 07/21/2017 – HERE