CHICAGO (WLS) — On Wednesday, over twenty individuals from various nations celebrated the significant milestone of becoming U.S. citizens during a ceremony held at Midway airport.
Some said they’ve waited a long time for this special moment.
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This occasion marked the first time a naturalization ceremony took place at an airport in Chicago, and the new citizens expressed that it was the perfect setting to fulfill their lifelong aspirations.
“It means everything. It means like I do belong from here, truly, fully,” Daria Rum said.
It was a day she’s waited a decade for.
“I moved when I was 19, and I basically grew up in this country,” Rum said.
One of the new citizens, Rum, is the first in her family to achieve American citizenship. She shared her excitement by sending videos to her parents in Russia immediately following the ceremony.
“Now I can actually bring them here,” Rum said. “They’re proud, and they’re very excited that they’ve been waiting for that day for me. It’s my second birthday today.”
Over 25 Chicago-area residents from six countries, including Jordan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Spain and Yemen, were sworn in as U.S. citizens Wednesday.
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The ceremony was intentionally held at Midway airport for the first time: a gathering place for those in Chicago and across the world.
“They should have the confidence of knowing that we’re happy to see them, and we want them, and that they have a place here, and that there is room for compassion and kindness,” Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer said.
As each new citizen grabbed their certificates, some say they want to use this moment to motivate others of the importance of immigration in a deeply divided American society.
“Let’s demonstrate to this bigger country that we can become good citizens,” Silvia Garcia said.
“They do see how important and satisfying it is to be part of a nation that, you know, for all its worth, tries to do what’s right,” Pallmeyer said.
Those like Garcia, born and raised in Mexico, say they want their stories to be examples for immigrant families to never give up on their American dreams.
“It doesn’t let me forget what I’m coming from,” Garcia said. “Just encourage them to stay stronger, they can do it. They can do it.”
Those in charge of the ceremony said another reason they did it at Midway was community engagement.
They say it’s often travelers’ first time seeing a naturalization ceremony.
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