This past month, my mom took a big step in her life and became an American citizen! After nearly 30 years we figured that the time was right. So, we began the process; she passed her test, did the paperwork and after a few months we were off to a local court house for the oath ceremony. Upon arriving to the court house, we saw multiple families like our own gathering together and filing in through the front doors. After the security line, which included the collection of everyone’s cell phones, we went in through to the main doors of the courtroom. My father and I were seated in the rows towards the back amongst the other eager families. My mom and all of the other new citizens-to-be moved in past the barrier and were seated closer to the judge’s bench. It became quite clear to me after just a few minutes of being seated that this ceremony although a lengthy one, was not going to be entirely dull -- even without a cell phone. I watched as each person was individually spoken to and seated, all the while the number of people in the room was growing.

While watching this system unfold, I took in all the details. The soon to be U.S. citizens ranged from all ages. I was surrounded by many children, young and old, watching their parents be sworn in, and in addition, parents watching their children be sworn in. Even more apparent than just the age range was the diversity in the countries of origin. There was an abundance of beautiful languages being spoken all around me and many expressions of culture amongst the citizens-to-be and their families. I found myself thinking and reflecting upon the history of the United States, how for my entire childhood I was told stories of the immigrants at Ellis Island, their brave search for opportunities without any money or education, and how I was taught that this nation’s greatest characteristic was that it is a melting pot. From there, my mind jumps to thoughts of the hatred and disgust being spewed from the mouths of some politicians of today on the topic of immigration, even though these immigrants have the same hopes and dreams as those who arrived in Ellis Island did. What has changed? I’m not entirely certain I can put into words what has really changed about those childhood lessons of, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door,” (Emma Lazarus, written on the statue of liberty), and what some politicians are preaching about today.

Along with my mom on this day, approximately 80 people from exactly 39 different countries became citizens of the United States of America. These countries ranged from Nepal, Ukraine, Greece, India, Afghanistan, Malta, Nigeria, Trinidad, Tobago, Poland, Ecuador and Ireland (where my mom is from) just to name a few. I’m unable to think of a characteristic that could make America any “greater” than the union of so many diverse people sharing the same aspirations and dreams.