By Eleanor Boudreau
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkno/local-wkno-898392.mp3
Memphis, TN – Close to 300 citizens of 66 different countries walked into the Cannon Center auditorium. Citizens of the United States walked out. Political debate over illegal immigration and immigration reform is heating up after the passage of an Arizona state law last week, but this story is about another type of immigrant. These immigrants come to the U.S. to better their lives. They come to work, quietly, and--legally. The government naturalizes about 740,000 people every year.
In order to become a citizen, immigrants have to pass a test on American history. They have to read, write, and speak English; and have to show U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officers that they are of good moral character, attached to the Constitution, and well disposed to the "happiness" of the U.S.
The final step is the oath of citizenship. In the Cannon Center today 297 people held a paper American flag the size of a postcard and said, "I do."
A band played The Star-Spangled Banner.
Congressman Steve Cohen's great grandfather was an immigrant from Lithuania. Cohen said to the group, "The thing that I think makes America the greatest is the diversity of our country."
The judge presiding over the ceremony told the group that U.S. citizenship was something people born in the United States too often took for granted.
As they filed out of the auditorium, new citizens said that America was a land of freedom and opportunity. Moctar Ba from Mauritania said, "Best day of my life."
The group hailed from Iraq and Canada, Iran and Mexico, Pakistan, El Salvador, China, Somalia, Russia, Sudan, and many others countries. They are all Americans now.
Just outside the auditorium, the new citizens bent over long tables and registered to vote.