Nearly 100 Citizens Naturalized On Eve Of July Fourth

On the eve of July Fourth, 96 individuals were naturalized as American citizens in Indianapolis. Many at the event reflected on current federal immigration policies. 

The July naturalization ceremony is held at Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. Harrison was president in 1892 when the immigration station opened on Ellis Island in New York Harbor. President and CEO Charles Hyde says all of the new citizens have earned the right to be here.   

“To be able to come together, and welcome them with open arms, these new citizens, is all the more important, you know, with everything that’s happening in the world,” he says.

Judge Sarah Evans Barker lead the ceremony and noted the symbolism of the open tent in which the ceremony was held, emphasizing it had “no walls.” Many applauded and cheered. Almost every hand in the crowd was raised when the judge took a poll of those who thought they would never receive the opportunity to become an American citizen.

Fifty-year resident and newly naturalized citizen Tania Stultz expressed thanks to all of those who made this day possible.

“They understand that we’re just humans, we just want to be people together and have a good life for our families and kids,” she says.

The new citizens immigrated from almost 40 countries.