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Becoming Americans

10 new citizens welcomed in ceremony

The Inter-Mountain photos by Eliana McCutcheon Back row, from left, Brandon H. Le, Hui Ling Wu, Genet Nigus Seyfu, Miguel Gustavo Campos Vega and Donia Nassib Khaddaj, and, front row from left, Dawit Sehlom Woldemikael, Adele Katiny, Ahmed Burai Saleem Ahmed, Hawa Melvina Ashiara, and Sheryl Allapitan Southern swear an oath Friday morning in U.S. District Court in Elkins to receive citizenship in the United States of America.

ELKINS — On Friday 10 new Americans were given their citizenship and with that, the freedom to pursue a life of happiness.

U.S. District Judges Thomas S. Kleeh and Michael John Aloi presided over the naturalization ceremony and welcomed the new U.S. citizens.

“Ladies and gentleman, we are very lucky this morning,” Kleeh said. “We have 10 men and women who call 10 different countries home. They are about to be citizens of the United States of America. I have such an appreciation of the diversity that we have in this room.”

The 10 new citizens include Brandon H. Le, originating from Vietnam; Hui Ling Wu, from China; Genet Nigus Seyfu, from Ethiopia; Miguel Gustavo Campos Vega, from Costa Rica; Donia Nassib Khaddaj, from Lebanon; Dawit Sehlom Woldemikael, from Eritrea; Adele Katiny, from Syria; Ahmed Burai Saleem Ahmed, from Sudan; Hawa Melvina Ashiara, from Liberia; and Sheryl Allapitan Southern, from the Philippines.

Speaking on behalf of all the new citizens, Vega shared his gratitude and excitement.

U.S. District Judge Michael John Aloi presents new U.S. citizen Miguel Gustavo Campos Vega his certificate.

“First and foremost, I want to thank God for this opportunity,” he said. “I am blessed to be here. I also want to thank each and every one of you that have supported us on this special day.

“I also want to congratulate each of you. We all come from different places around the world, different backgrounds, and different stories, but we are so privileged to be here and to be citizens of America.”

During the reception after the ceremony, the new citizens enjoyed fellowship with their families and community.

“I feel really happy right now. I have been in this country for about 30 years and I have finally done it after trying in the past! I am really happy right now.” said Le.

“First of all, I want to say thank you for this opportunity,” said Ahmed. “I feel really great that I became an American citizen, which makes me really really happy, you know? I am so excited. I came here five years back and I was so worried. I worked hard because I had to contribute to the society that accepted me. Now, I am finally a citizen. Thank you for accepting me to be one of you.”

“It means a lot to me to be an American, especially coming from a war country. So, to me it means freedom and building a future. It means a lot to me. I am very excited,” said Katiny.

A video presentation during the ceremony featured President Donald Trump congratulating the new citizens.

Also attending and contributing to the ceremony were Rev. Raymond Godwin of St. Brendan Catholic Church; Boy Scout Troop No. 88; and musician Doug Van Gundy.

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