Stockbridge — Thirty-one immigrants from five countries became naturalized citizens at a swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, October 12 at Naumkeag Public Garden. The event was organized by the Berkshire Immigrant Center of Pittsfield.
According to information provided by the organization, the Center serves more than 850 immigrants and their families annually. “The Center was originally founded to help people with naturalization,” Director of Client and Community Services of the Berkshire Immigration Center Lorena Dus said at the ceremony. “We gather here today with a very diverse group of people.”
Dus said that she, is an immigrant herself and could relate to the experiences of many of the people becoming naturalized citizens at the event. “Even though I don’t know all of your personal stories, I do know that your stories are all stories of hard work, sacrifice, and probably pain because you have been away from your family members,” Dus said. “If you go down this road [of becoming an American citizen] it’s not easy. Some of you are not able to go back to the countries that you came from, and that is heartbreaking. Today, I want to honor your resilience. I want to say thank you for making this place home, and making it better.”
Before she finished her speech, Dus encouraged the naturalized citizens to vote on November 8 “and make sure that this is your first official contribution to America.”
The Oath of Allegiance was administered at the ceremony by Honorable Judge Katherine A. Robertson, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts. “I’ve been a magistrate judge for more than seven years now, and presiding over naturalization ceremonies is the most meaningful and joyful part of my job,” Judge Robertson said. “This event is very important in your lives and the choices you have made. Naturalization ceremonies were discontinued when the pandemic was declared. They were one of the first things that resumed when we could bring people back together safely. You have sworn a solemn oath today, and you have committed yourself to this country. We are celebrating the choice that you have made. Every year, naturalized citizens make important contributions that enrich and strengthen our society and democracy. We need you as new citizens, and you belong here. This country would not be what it is unless we had people like you who have chosen to live here.”
