Mike Parker: Historic Harmony Hall ceremony welcomes new citizens
Most of us celebrate the Fourth of July as a way to honor The Declaration of Independence – the document that officially declared the 13 colonies as independent from Great Britain. We consider July 4th as the birthday of our nation.
But for years Harmony Hall has used the day to host a celebration of a different sort. Each year – COVID years excepted – a federal magistrate travels to Kinston to stand in the backyard of Harmony Hall and administer the Oath of Allegiance to those who immigrated to the United States through proper channels and followed the process that leads to U.S. citizenship.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a person who wants to become a legal citizen of this country must go through a 10-step process. Believe it or not, Step 1 is determining whether the person is already a U.S. citizen by being born in a U.S. state or territory – or by being the child of a person who was or became a U.S. citizen before that person turned 18.
A person not already a U.S. citizen moves on to Step 2: Does he or she meet the requirements to become a U.S. citizen. In general, a person may qualify for naturalization if that person is at least 18 years old and has been a permanent resident for at least five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen) and meets all other eligibility requirements. A person may also qualify for naturalization based on military service.
Step 3 is to complete the N-400 Application for Naturalization. In doing so, the person must have two passport-type photos taken and must also assemble the necessary documents to demonstrate eligibility. Step 4 is to submit the application and materials to the USCIS.
In Step 5, the person gives his or her biometrics, which includes photos and fingerprints. The FBI uses these items to do a background check. Once all the preliminary processes on the case are complete, the person is ready for Step 6: USCIS will schedule an interview. The would-be citizen must report to the USCIS office at the date and time on the appointment notice and have the appointment notice.
At this interview, the applicant meets with a USCIS officer and answers questions about the Form N-400. If a person is requesting a medical exception to the English and civics testing requirements, that person must submit Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions unless the person submitted this form with the N-400. Next comes taking the English and civics tests, unless exempt. During the interview, the officer will determine if the person needs to submit more information. Unless exempt, anyone who fails the English or civic test will have to wait 90 days to retest.
For Step 7, the USCIS issues its determination of eligibility to become a citizen. Step 8 is receiving a notice to take the Oath of Allegiance. No one applying to become a U.S. citizen becomes a citizen until she or he takes the Oath of Allegiance. For those who have a religious objection to oaths, they can give affirmation. Step 9 is taking the Oath. After taking the oath, the person receives his or her Certificate of Naturalization.
Step 10 is deepening the understanding of what being a citizen of the United States means. Citizenship is the common thread that connects all Americans. All Americans, whether citizens by birth and by choice, should exercise, honor, and respect the important rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.
A few of those rights include freedom to express yourself; freedom to worship as you wish; the right to a prompt, fair trial by jury; the right to vote in elections for public officials; the right to apply for federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship; and the right to run for elective office.
Some of the responsibilities every citizen has are to support and defend the U.S. Constitution; to stay informed of the issues affecting your community; to participate in the democratic process; to respect and obey federal, state, and local laws; to respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others; and to participate in the local community. Of course, each citizen has the responsibility to pay income and other taxes honestly and on time, whether to federal, state, and local authorities; to serve on a jury when called upon; and to serve the country as needed.
Those who stand and recite the Oath of Allegiance on July 4th at Harmony Hall have completed the first eight steps. Their actions on July 4th will be Step 9. They have the rest of their lives to develop mastery of the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.
As I wrap up, I urge all citizens, whether citizens by birth or choice, to meditate upon our rights and responsibilities as citizens.
And I thank those who take the Oath of Allegiance on July 4th for respecting U.S. citizenship enough to follow the right process to become part of their nation. In a way, the Fourth of July is your birthday for U.S. citizenship.
Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
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