Hundreds take Oath of Allegiance at Illinois State Fair

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — More than 300 people from around the world became United States citizens Wednesday during a naturalization ceremony at the Illinois State Fair.

The ceremony was held inside the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, marking the final step in the naturalization process for more than 300 new U.S. citizens representing 51 countries.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Field Office Director Payam Tanaomi formally presented the citizenship candidates to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth were among those who welcomed the country's newest citizens during the ceremony.

"This is the fun part of my job. Honest to goodness," Durbin said. "To see 300-plus people about to become American citizens, to believe that you made a conscious decision that you wanted America to be part of your future."

Durbin shared his own family's immigration story with the new citizens. His mother came to the United States from Lithuania when she was two years old, eventually settling with her family in East St. Louis, where Durbin was born.

Durbin even told the crowd his mother kept both her naturalization certificate and the receipt showing she paid the $2.50 filing fee to become a citizen.

Durbin encouraged the new citizens to become active participants in American democracy.

"Certainly think seriously about registering and voting," he said. "That is your expression of participation in our democracy."

He also encouraged the new citizens to remember the people who supported them throughout their journeys.

"That person deserves your gratitude and thanks," Durbin said. "In the meantime, welcome to the United States of America, my fellow Americans."

Duckworth also shared her family's immigration story, telling the crowd that while her father's family has served the United States in uniform for generations, she is also the daughter of an immigrant.

Duckworth encouraged the new citizens to exercise that same right and make their voices heard.

"I want you to speak your mind to your government, because in this country, that is your right to stand up and let those in power know what you think and what you want to happen," Duckworth said.

She also urged the new citizens not to leave behind the cultures and traditions they brought with them to the United States.

"Please embrace your traditions, keep your traditions, whether that is your religion, your background, embrace those," Duckworth said. "Make those American traditions as you embrace your new citizenship because that makes this country stronger."

The 309 candidates represented countries from across the globe, including Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, Ghana, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Nepal, the Philippines, Poland, South Korea, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless and Sangamon County Associate Judge Tawnya L. Frioli presided over the ceremony.

As part of the proceedings, the candidates took the Oath of Allegiance, officially completing the process of becoming U.S. citizens.

"It is important that you keep those traditions because those traditions make America a better, stronger nation," Duckworth told the crowd. "So welcome. Congratulations and thank you for choosing this country as your new nation of choice."