94 immigrants become U.S. citizens at Cantigny

Augusta Kportufe came to the United States from Ghana 13 years ago in search of better opportunities.

She says she's adjusted to living in America, where she has raised her son and works as a certified nursing assistant.

But on Monday, the 50-year-old Rockford resident will celebrate her first Fourth of July as a U.S. citizen. She joined 93 other immigrants Thursday at a citizenship ceremony at Cantigny Park in Wheaton.

She said it was an honor to take the oath of allegiance after studying to pass the citizenship test.

“With God's grace, we got it done,” she said.

Immigrants from a total of 34 countries took part in the ceremony, administered by U.S. District Court Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan, who relayed his own immigrant experience to the new citizens.

“I came to the U.S. just like you did and took the same oath you did,” Der-Yeghiayan said. “And it's special because this country gave me opportunities.”

He encouraged them to take advantage of those opportunities, but also to give something back to the country through volunteerism.

Jasmina Roches, 30, of Willow Springs, said she came from Macedonia to the U.S. with only a “summer suitcase” to visit an aunt in 2003. She ended up staying when she met her future husband, John, at a family graduation party. She entered English classes and “felt like a first-grader” again, she said, but two years later became proficient. Meanwhile, she taught her husband Macedonian.

She said passing the citizenship test was easy because she had taken an American history class at Moraine Valley Community College.

“I'm so emotional, to be able to freely contribute to the country that gave me a lot,” Roches said.