Berks County Fall Naturalization Ceremony

Fall Naturalization Ceremony

Berks County gained 28 new American citizens in a Naturalization Ceremony held on October 12th in Courtroom 5A of the Berks County Courthouse. The Honorable M. Theresa Johnson presided over the ceremony and assisted Yvette Plant, Supervisor at the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, on presenting citizenship certificates to the newly naturalized citizens, who originated from eleven countries. Maria Rodriguez, City Auditor for the City of Reading, spoke at the ceremony and shared her inspiring immigration and naturalization story. Many organizations from the community, including The Literary Council of Reading-Berks, The Berks County Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, The League of Women Voters of Berks County, Altrusa International, Inc., and Election Services, attended the ceremony and provided information on voting and civic engagement.

(Left to right) Citizenship Committee Chair Andrew Fick, President James Smith, City Auditor Maria Rodriguez, Judge Johnson, Supervisor Yvette Plant, President-Elect Gabriela Raful, and Vice President Karen Cook after the ceremony concluded. The ceremony’s speakers and all 28 of the newly naturalized citizens pose for a group photo after they were presented their certificates of citizenship.

Judge Johnson awards Ivan Rafael Tejada his certificate and congratulates him on becoming a U.S. citizen.

Nancy C. Ramirez and Mario Salazar Martinez pose proudly with little American flags after they were granted their citizenship. Reading City Auditor Maria Rodriguez shares her story of immigration and her path to naturalization, which has allowed her to take advantage of this country’s boundless opportunities, including becoming an elected official for a community that has given her so much.

The 28 applicants for naturalization take an oath of allegiance to the United States of America as part of the ceremony, led by Judge Johnson.