SPOKANE, Wash. — Over 50 immigrants from over a dozen different countries officially became U.S. citizens Friday morning during a naturalization ceremony at Rogers High School.
Family members filled the auditorium to watch their loved ones get their citizenship. Many of them are looking forward to getting their passport or registering to vote.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment,” said Lyubob Gud, a Ukrainian immigrant and new U.S. citizen.
The ceremony included words from a Rogers teacher who is an immigrant herself and Spokane Public Schools superintendent Adam Swinyard.
Some, like Gud, waited decades before finally getting their citizenship.
“My kids live with me and they live here and they have everything,” Gud said. “We’re very happy living here in America.”
Judge James Goeke says he liked seeing the reactions and the joy on people’s faces when he oversees these ceremonies.
Goeke understands the hard work it takes to become a citizen. Seeing those dreams become reality is what makes it meaningful to him.
“We do a number of naturalization ceremonies at schools around the area, they’re my favorite,” he said. “I love to do them at schools. It’s great to see the students see how the process works. It’s kind of a living affirmation of how the constitution works.”
Judge Goeke encouraged each new citizen to use the rights and privileges afforded to them by becoming citizens. That includes taking part in the political process and registering to vote.
“If you’re a citizen, you should exercise all of the right and responsibilities and duties of citizenship and be a participant in our society in every facet,” he said. “I think it’s important for people to vote and participate in the political process.”
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