It was an emotional scene at the Lookout Lodge at Waterford Oaks County Park on Wednesday when Oakland County hosted its first naturalization ceremony, welcoming 25 new citizens from 13 countries: Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, El Salvador, Germany, India, Iraq, Mexico, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania and South Korea.
At the naturalization ceremony on Oct. 30, the new United States citizens took the Oath of Allegiance and received their Certificate of Naturalization.
Deputy County Executive Madiha Tariq welcomed everyone and shared her moving story of becoming a U.S. citizen.
“Almost exactly 10 years ago, I sat in this very audience just like you to become a naturalized citizen myself. Becoming a citizen is not simply about receiving a document. It’s a symbol of our collective commitment and love for this nation. It represents the dreams that brought me here as a 16-year-old from my home in Pakistan. It represents the strength of my mother who dared to send her teenage daughter to a land unknown to pursue those dreams,” said Deputy County Executive Tariq.
County Executive Dave Coulter told the new citizens and their families that they represent neighbors, friends, coworkers and business owners.
“More importantly, you represent the hope and the promise of this incredible country that we now share together. Your journeys may be different. You may be driven by a desire to reunite with your family, to get a college education, to escape a war-torn country or to pursue economic opportunity. But, whatever your reason, we welcome you in Oakland County. You are now part of the narrative of this county, this great state and this great country,” he said.
Oakland County Commissioner William Miller held his grandfather’s immigration papers from 1927 when he came to Detroit from England as a welder.
“So this means a lot. I wear a pin that says we’re all immigrants because we all are, and we’re together. We want everybody to feel welcomed, loved … And we hope and pray that you feel that every day,” he said.
U.S. District Judge Brandy R. McMillion administered the Oath of Allegiance and told the crowd that the ceremony was an amazing reason to celebrate.
“You come with your own histories and traditions, and you now bring it here to add to the greatness of what makes us America, what makes us Michigan and what makes us Oakland County. Today, I, you, we are all Americans,” she said.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, each new citizen received their Certificate of Naturalization and celebrated with photos, cake and a gift bag filled with information about the county, mini-American flags, and Executive Coulter challenge coins, inscribed with the words: “Community, Respect, Gratitude and Community.”
Oakland County Is Welcoming
In 2020, Oakland County joined Welcoming America’s Welcoming Network. Commissioner William Miller delivered the first Welcoming Resolution to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. The county’s welcoming efforts include developing a roadmap for the county; filling food security needs in immigrant communities; offering translation assistance and connecting immigrants with critical social and healthcare services.
About U.S. Naturalization
Naturalization is when citizenship is granted to someone born outside the United States after meeting eligibility requirements, submitting applications, receiving criminal background checks, attending interviews, and passing the English language and civics tests.
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