Cullen Paradis is a reporter for Community News Service, a collaboration with the University of Vermont’s Reporting & Documentary Storytelling program.
[A] group of 14 Vermonters paid special attention to the remarks of U.S. Judge Geoffrey Crawford in preparation his administering the oath of allegiance to the United States.
Those individuals, hailing from 11 different nations, were packed into the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum in Burlington Friday afternoon with about 50 wellwishers who had joined them for the naturalization ceremony.
Crawford, chief U.S. District Court judge, addressed some of his remarks to the anti-Muslim sentiment that has arisen in parts of the country in recent years.
“Let me speak directly about our new citizens who are Muslims,” Crawford said. “What I have to say is simple: you are equal, and you are welcome. Your faith and your right to worship are honored and protected by our laws.
“Muslim citizens and residents have served America for over two centuries,” he told those about to raise their right hands to take the oath.
Sen. Patrick Leahy spoke in a similar vein earlier in the proceedings.
“No matter where you hail from, no matter what religion or politics you believe in, you are welcome,” the Vermont Democrat said to the gathering. “That diversity makes us strong. You’re joining a nation of immigrants — immigrants who made us stronger.”
The homestead museum’s executive director and Mayor Miro Weinberger also welcomed the new citizens and their families.
“As stewards of history, we at the homestead are proud to play a part in maintaining the legacy of this land,” said director Dan O’Neil. “It’s a legacy that you’re a part of as well. We’re grateful that you have chosen us to make your home, and we look forward to growing as a community because of you.”
Weinberger, expressing his gratitude to the group “for allowing me to share (this moment) with you,” said: “The oath you’re about to take is one of the most dramatic moments of citizenship that exists, especially in light of what this country has stood for. Congratulations on reaching this moment. …”
In his remarks before administering the oath, Judge Crawford also outlined other rights of American citizens, such as economic opportunity and freedom of speech, assembly, worship and political action.
“Freedom is strongest when it’s exercised,” he said. “People who are born in the United States sometimes take it for granted. New Americans, such as you, bring optimism. You would not have come if you did not see the chance for a better life for your family.”
Home countries of the new citizens — five of whom requested to change their names — were Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Dominican Republic, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nepal, Somalia and Turkey.