Immigrants become U.S. citizens in Wheaton ceremony

For the first time since coming to the U.S. 17 years ago, Alfredo Vargas feels "complete."

"I was very touched by what was said here," the North Aurora man said with teary eyes and a smile, referring to comments made during a naturalization ceremony he took part in at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. "A lot of emotions came to me, all these years, all the hard work. I feel complete now."

Vargas, originally from Mexico, became a U.S. citizen alongside 70 other immigrants from 25 countries in the park's visitor center Thursday. Each immigrant took an Oath of Allegiance and was presented with an envelope filled with documents that support their citizenship, as well as a small American flag.

Lisa Mahmood, supervisory immigration services officer for the U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services, noted that the ceremony took place on Citizenship Day and the 228th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

"Your hard work and determination have led you here and I welcome you as our newest citizens," she said. "I'm confident that your spirit and dedication will uphold America's tradition of providing hope and opportunity for generations of immigrants to come."

The new citizens - who hailed from Europe, Asia, South America and Africa - were encouraged throughout the ceremony to take full advantage of their new citizenship and all the rights and responsibilities that come along with it.

Russian native Alexander Kasten of Chicago said one of the new opportunities he is most looking forward to is using his American passport, which provides him access to more countries than ever before.

"It's a great day," he said. "It was hard, and we had some difficulties with this process, but everything finally worked out and I'm very happy. I'm finally at peace."

Mohammed Elfaki of Chicago, who moved to the U.S. from Sudan in 2006, said he plans to obtain a Ph.D. and start sharing the American values of "democracy and freedom and liberty and dignity of human beings" with people in other countries now that he is a U.S. citizen.

"I am very excited," he said. "I think it's one of the greatest days in my life. I am an American citizen, a free eagle to go and be part of this great nation and try to pursue my American dreams."

Keynote speaker Shawn Healy, a civic learning scholar, acknowledged that the U.S. isn't perfect, but when citizens work together they can "rebuild our democracy." He encouraged all the new citizens to get involved in community groups, stay in touch with their elected officials and attend public meetings.

"We need to engage," he said. "We need to have our voices heard. It's a great right that comes with being a citizen of this country."

U.S. District Court Judge John W. Darrah also explained to the new citizens how the U.S. motto, "E Pluribus Unum," or "One, from many," applied greatly to Thursday's ceremony.

"Your achievement of citizenship is a renewal of this principal of diversity," he said. "Each of you represent the many cultures and diverse heritages which has contributed to the growth of a nation of great power and great wealth. Now our great nation, the United States of America, is even stronger than it was just a few moments ago."