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17 newest US citizens take oath
For Rab Nawaz, 55, of Pakistan, acquiring U.S. citizenship is a dream come true.
“I feel excited, happy. It means freedom and everything,” said Nawaz, an IT&E technician who was among 17 persons to become the newest U.S. citizens during Friday’s naturalization ceremony at the U.S. District Court for the NMI.
The 17 new U.S. citizens have their picture taken on Friday with U.S. District Court for the NMI Senior Judge Alex Munson and, standing from right, Immigration Services officers Nicolas Bartell and Diane Zedde. (BILL BEZZANT)
Nawaz came to Saipan as an electrician in 1990. He is married to Charlotte Dela Cruz. They have four children.
For Chang Whan Jang, 62, a Korean math teacher at Hopwood Junior High School, he feels freer now with his citizenship. Jang said the citizenship, however, also comes with responsibility.
“I feel great,” said Jang, who first came to the island with his wife, Bok Ok Shin, in 1980.
One of the couple’s Saipan-born children petitioned them to become U.S. citizens.
“I feel comfortable and proud,” said the 59-year-old Shin of her citizenship. Shin and family used to run Mike’s Jewelry.
Evelyn Esmedilla Borja, from Olongapo, Philippines, said she is very happy as off-island travel would now be easier. Borja has been on Tinian for 21 years now. She is currently working at the Tinian Municipal Treasury. She and her husband, Max Borja, who works at the Tinian Mayor’s Office, have four children.
Matthew T. Gregory, guest speaker at the naturalization ceremony, congratulated the newest U.S. citizens and advised them of their responsibility to the U.S. Constitution.
U.S. District Court for the NMI Senior Judge Alex R. Munson administered the oath for the 17 new U.S. citizens.
Those who attended the ceremony were given U.S. flags as Friday was also Flag Day celebration.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer Diane Zedde presented to the court the 17 petitioners, who are from the Philippines, Pakistan, South Korean, and Nepal.
Aside from Nawaz, Jang, Shin, and Borja, the 13 other newest citizens are Larissa Pico Steele, Yong Choi, Gisel Dela Rosa Achas, Juliet Espiritu Delos Reyes, Felina Dayrit Guiao, Josephine Calimlim King, Wilma Santos Loste, Franco Orejudos Mendoza, Reynaldo Miranda Mendoza, Nieves Ubag Reyes, Ramsa Rabago Tenepere, Mahesh Kumar Thapa, and Annabel Operario Tudela.
