Seven join the ranks of new US citizens

Although she just took her oath as a U.S. citizen yesterday, businesswoman Linda Suk Ying Lam feels likes she has already been one after living on Saipan for 39 years.

The seven newest U.S. citizens have their picture taken yesterday with, from left, front row, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan, Federal Emergency Management Agency federal coordinating officer Stephen DeBlasio Sr., U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona, Immigration Services supervisory officer Lakeisha C. Lee, and Immigration Services officer Shelia Kelty.
(Ferdie De La Torre)

“I don’t feel I’m a foreigner,” the Hong Kong-born 65-year-old Lam said.

Lam, who owns Modern Stationery in San Jose, was one of seven individuals who took their oath as U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony in federal court yesterday morning.

Lam first came to the island with her former husband in December 1976. At that time, her then-husband worked as general manager for Island Bottling Co. or Coca-Cola. In 1980, the couple set up Modern Stationery. They later put up other businesses, including some in Guam.

Lam disclosed that they sold their Ocean View Hotel in Garapan two years ago. She also closed the Modern Stationery branch in that building to concentrate on the San Jose branch.

“I am now semi-retired. I want to enjoy my life,” she said.

Lam’s only child, a son who is now 24 years old, was in the same class at Marianas Baptist Academy with the son of U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona and the son of Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP).

Manglona, who administered the oath for Lam and the other new U.S. citizens yesterday, noted this at the ceremony, saying her son, Sablan’s son, and Lam’s son were classmates and best friends at MBA.

“We have this tie,” said the beaming judge.

Sablan was also a guest at the ceremony.

Manglona said Lam’s businesses have contributed a lot to the CNMI.

For Susan Belarmino Taitano, 59, taking the oath as a U.S. citizen means she can now exercise her right to vote, avail of benefits, and contribute to the community.

“I’m very happy because I am blessed, having a good husband and children,” said Taitano.

She is married to retired Commonwealth Utilities Corp. shift supervisor Jesus L. Taitano, 69. They have two children, ages 23 and 21 years old.

Mrs. Taitano, a native of Marinduque, Philippines, first came to Saipan in 1991 to work at the now defunct Sako Garment Factory. She met Taitano and they got married the following year.

Federal Emergency Management Agency federal coordinating officer Stephen DeBlasio Sr. served as the guest speaker at yesterday’s naturalization ceremony.

DeBlasio said these new citizens have earned two privileges—the privilege of being a U.S. citizen and of being U.S. citizens of the CNMI.

“You, our newest citizens, chose to become U.S. citizens. You took the initiative and undertook the effort to become a citizen of the United States. For that, I commend you,” he said.

With the new citizenship, DeBlasio said, comes access to the rights and benefits afforded all U.S. citizens such as the right to vote, eligibility for federal jobs, and the right to hold an elected office.

Like most privileges, he said, this one comes with responsibilities: allegiance to the U.S., support for the U.S. Constitution, and being an upstanding member of the community.

DeBlasio said in his line of work, he is called upon to lead the federal response to natural or man-made disasters.

“[But] no matter the size or magnitude, it is always the community that pulls together to help each other recover from a disaster, regardless of size. It is the community that is there before, during and after any disaster,” he said.

DeBlasio said it is the whole community that comes together first to aid one another.

“It will be your responsibility to check in on your neighbors after a storm. It will be you who will be called on to look after your family, friends, and relatives. It will be you who will be responsible for helping your community recover,” he said.

This is one of the country’s greatest strengths, he said.

“When we work together to help each other, we all become better and stronger,” he said.

The five other newest citizens are Lynie Villacanas Cabrera, Ma Vida Amor Beruelo Echaluse, Cheng Huang, Maria Corazon Baylon Pangelinan, and Danmar Alquetra Sanchez.

Immigration Services supervisory officer Lakeisha C. Lee presented the new citizens, who are mostly from the Philippines.