CHICAGO (WLS) — In a setting that epitomizes American culture, two dozen individuals celebrated their new status as U.S. citizens at none other than a baseball stadium.
On Wednesday, Rate Field transformed from a baseball diamond into a launch pad for fresh aspirations and opportunities.
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For the newly minted citizens, the choice of location resonated deeply, making the experience of becoming American even more special.
“Being here today is truly incredible,” shared Stacey Hinchliffe with enthusiasm.
Hinchcliffe had once imagined this milestone happening in a courtroom, yet standing on Rate Field turned it into an indelible memory.
“We initially planned to stay for two years. But here we are, 25 years later, still in this country,” Hinchliffe reflected.
A temporary stay turned into a permanent dream. And for many, that dream looks different but led to the same moment.
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“I grew up with movies, with American movies. It was always great to see people serve and it’s just huge respect,” Ferhat Chizlak said.
Ferhat, originally from Turkey, already serves in the U.S. Army Reserves. Now, he’s a citizen of the country he’s defending.
“I was like, what is the first thing I need to do in order to live in this country? And that’s becoming an American citizen, to be able to vote, to be able to serve, to do all that,” Chizlak said.
For him, service came first and citizenship came full circle. And while his path was expedited, for others, it was decades in the making.
“We started somewhere in the process of H1 to green card in 2005,” Vishal Chawla said. “We got married, had kids and then. you know, want to be in the land of dreams, so pursue the opportunity.”
Born in India, Chawla is the last in his family to take the oath.
“Very great moment in life to be a point, to do it on a baseball field,” Chawla said.
As a baseball coach for his son’s team, he’s now hoping a new dream will come true.
“I want to play major league sport when I grow up,” his son Viaan Chawla said.
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