U.S. Naturalization Ceremony NEW HAMPSHIRE WELCOMES 72 NEW U.S. CITIZENS PHOTOS BY ROBERT ORTIZ
“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; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.” With these words that make up the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America, 72 people from 32 countries became U.S. citizens at Strawbery Banke Museum on
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July 4. The ceremony returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photographer Robert Ortiz captured these images that show the collective desire shared by these new citizens to achieve their American Dream fueled by their love of freedom and hope that everyone in America, especially their children and grandchildren, has the right to achieve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness regardless of their color, creed or religious beliefs. — Robert Cook
