Posted on 08/08/2003 8:43:29 AM PDT by Pern
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - More than 200 U.S. Navy sailors, including many who served in the Iraq war, were sworn in Friday as citizens of the country they defend.
The sailors had applied for U.S. citizenship under an executive order issued by President Bush last year, which made immigrants serving in the military since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks immediately eligible for naturalization.
"When I look at you, I see myself," said Eduardo Aguirre, director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, recalling how he came to the United States as a 15-year-old Cuban refugee in search of a better life.
Aguirre administered an oath of allegiance to the 222 sailors during the ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, docked at Norfolk Naval Station.
Afterward, the sailors, in their dress white uniforms, waved American flags as family members and friends cheered.
The new citizens hail from 51 countries, from Albania to Ukraine.
"I'm very happy to be an American," said Agbasi Ebuka, a 29-year-old petty officer 3rd class from Nigeria. "America is the most free country in the whole world. You have the freedom to live your life the way you want to."
Normally during peacetime, non-citizens in the military can apply for naturalization after three years of service. Immigrants not in the military must be legal residents for five years before they become eligible for naturalization.
Not quite, but pretty close. If we can keep Asscroft's feet off the Constitution.
Welcome to US Citizenship, Shipmates.
Idiot!!!
That crap plays much better with your friends over at DU...
This country has plenty of room for all these "dedicated soldiers" the world has to offer.
"I'm very happy to be an American," said Agbasi Ebuka, a 29-year-old petty officer 3rd class from Nigeria. "America is the most free country in the whole world. You have the freedom to live your life the way you want to."
Welcome aboard, Agbasi.
I think not. Just because I think that our current administration is flushing our civil rights down the toilet, doesn't mean that I'd vote Democrat, or associate myself with DU.
If I were a DU mole, don't you think that Jim would have kicked me off the forum by now?
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