Petitioners from around the world take oath of U.S. citizenship in Abingdon

ABINGDON, Va. – Francisca Loiola Turner has dreamed of becoming a U.S. citizen since she was a 7-year-old growing up in Brazil. Sparking the dream was a television spot featuring an American translating English into Portuguese, the native tongue of Brazil.

“I told my mom, one day I’m going to learn that language and go to that place,” Turner recalled Friday, as her dream was realized.

Turner, who now lives in Bristol, was surrounded by 21 other immigrants as they all swore the oath of citizenship Friday at the U.S. District Court in Abingdon.

“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen,” the group began.

They had arrived from such far off places as Ecuador, Russia, Vietnam and Italy. Most, however, had been living here for years on a green card.
Tewodros Teddy Tamene was born in Washington, D.C., the son of an Ethiopian diplomat.

“Since then I’ve been waiting to be a citizen,” he said.

Chinese native Tingting Lin arrived at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise years ago as an exchange student. As she studied and earned a pharmacy degree, Lin fell in love with the mountains and the people, eventually deciding to stay.

“I’ve been to a lot of places ... but there is nowhere else like Southwest Virginia,” she said. “If not for the people here I would not have had my dreams realized.”

As the excited group stood and recited the oath with right hand raised, family and friends grinned and held cameras high for a good shot.

At one point, Turner’s husband, Todd, aimed a video recorder with one hand and a camera with the other.

“We’ve been waiting years for this,” he said after the ceremony.

The two met in Brazil while Todd, a pastor, was on a missionary trip. Francisca was his translator. They married in 2002.

“I brought a souvenir back,” Todd Turner said, and grinned.

Also watching with wide smiles as a family member swore allegiance to a new country was Wedad Almatari and her three sons. Husband and father Abdul Latief Amin Almatari, from Yemen, was finally becoming an American after 32 years in the country.

He first arrived to study medicine, and eventually became a doctor in Jonesville.

“It’s been difficult to get to this point,” Almatari said. “I’ve been dreaming about this for years.”

Before the ceremony began Homeland Security Immigration Services Provider Ade Adeniran held up a copy of the Certificate of Naturalization that each person would later receive.

“As of today, you can register to vote ... so please take part in the next election,” said Adeniran, an immigrant from Nigeria.

Later, he would tell them that even though they had a new citizenship, they could continue practicing the old traditions.

“You don’t have to sacrifice anything,” he said. “I want you to continue practicing your religion, to teach your children your language. And I want you to cook your food – that, I think I like the best.”

After swearing the oath, each new American proudly accepted a handshake and their Certificate of Naturalization from U.S. District Judge James P. Jones.

“Most of the things that happen in court are not pleasant, but this is the one occasion where it’s a good occasion for everyone,” Jones said after the ceremony, and smiled.

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