Archive: Around Town

35 applicants from 18 countries became United States citizens Wednesday at a special session of the New York State Supreme Court at Boynton Middle School.  New York State Supreme Court Justice Eugene Faughnan presided in an assembly that filled the middle school gymnasium with students, the candidates for citizenship and their families.  Tompkins County Clerk Maureen Reynolds presented the 35 applicants, who were sworn in with the middle school students watching.

"It is my pleasure to introduce 35 candidates for United States Citizenship," said Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Officer Jack Phetteplace.  "They come from 18 countries of the world including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Morocco, Peru, The people's Republic of China, The Philippines, Romania, Thailand, South Korea, Sorraca, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Viet Nam.  Each person has voluntarily come forward to state his or her personal declaration of independence from all former allegiances and loyalties just as our own forefathers did over 239 years ago."


The ceremony began with the National Anthem played by the Boynton Middle School Band.  Faughnan swore in the applicants, and three 8th graders -- Maren Dilliplane, Branden Riley, and Alexander Simpson -- read their papers on 'What does it mean to be an American?'


Applicants for US citizenship must be a permanent resident of the United States for at least five years and meet all other eligibility requirements.  They must be 18 or older when they file to become citizens, have held a green card continuously for at least five years, and have lived within the state that has jurisdiction over their residence for at least three months.  They must be present in the US for at least 30 months during the five year period, and reside within the US continuously from the time they apply for citizenship to the time it is granted.

Applicants are required to be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge of US history.  They must 'Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law'.

Spouses of American citizens must have permanent residence for three years and meet the other requirements.  Members of the US armed forces may be eligible, and children of US citizens who were born abroad who meet the requirements may become citizens.


Once accepted, applicants are required to attend a naturalization ceremony at which they take the Oath of Allegiance.  They must turn in their Premanent Resident Card and receive a Certificate of Naturalization.  They are encouraged to apply for a United States passport and to register to vote.

"It is always so inspiring to be here on a day like this," Justice Faughnan told the applicants.  "To see all of you, to know what you did to come to this country, and what you have done to get to this stage to become citizens.  You should know that it is always a great reminder to those of us who were born here of the importance of citizenship that we probably end up taking for granted because we didn't have to go through what you went through.  I want to thank all of you for that great reminder."

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