Heartfelt Naturalization Ceremony Welcomes New U.S. Citizens in Topeka
In a touching ceremony at the Kansas Statehouse, 30 individuals from 18 nations embraced their new identity as U.S. citizens. The event was marked by the presence of families, waving flags and capturing the momentous occasion on their phones. Among the newly naturalized were Carlos Wriedt and his wife, who moved to the U.S. from Mexico in pursuit of a better life for their family.
The Wriedts have called the U.S. home for over two decades, establishing a translation business in Wichita. Although Wriedt possessed a green card, he and his wife opted for citizenship amidst the intensifying immigration discussions during President Donald Trump’s administration. Their daughter had already obtained citizenship the previous September.
As the ceremony concluded with the national anthem and the oath of allegiance, Wriedt expressed his relief and excitement, stating, “Now, nobody can take that away from us unless we misbehave — but of course we won’t.”
The U.S. naturalized over 818,000 new citizens from October 2023 to September 2024, averaging around 68,000 each month. The ceremony also highlighted Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s reflections on her Irish immigrant heritage, amidst the backdrop of Trump’s immigration policies, including mass deportation threats and the suspension of refugee programs.
Kansas state Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat, voiced his concerns about the current political climate, stating, “I’m disappointed at the climate and the rhetoric right now.” Despite this, he found solace in the day’s events, reminiscing about his own naturalization 50 years ago.
Speakers at the ceremony acknowledged the hard work required for naturalization, including application processes, interviews, and tests. They celebrated America’s diversity and the contributions of immigrants to the nation’s strength and vitality. “The dreams of immigrants have built in America and continue to inject new energy, new vitality and new strength into our country,” Kelly commented.
Judge Rachel Pickering of the Kansas Court of Appeals shared her family’s migration story from Mexico, emphasizing the continuation of the American dream. “You are keeping the American dream alive,” she told the new citizens.
Also present was Jerry Ugbo from Nigeria, who came to the U.S. in 2015. Now residing in Manhattan, Kansas, Ugbo is on the path to becoming a physician’s assistant. His wife, Hannah, highlighted the challenges of the legal immigration process, noting the financial and procedural hurdles they overcame without legal assistance.
After the ceremony, Jerry Ugbo and his family planned a celebration, intending to enjoy a meal and family time, as Hannah noted, “let the kids play.”
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