25 US Service Members Become Citizens
25 active duty U.S. service members, became US citizens. They hailed from 17 different countries, including Mexico, Nigeria and Russia.
In front of an audience of family and friends, the service members were administered the oath of allegiance, by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.
President Barack Obama stated, "I have to tell you, just personally, this is one of my favorite things to do. It brings me great joy and inspiration because it reminds us that we are a country that is bound together not simply by ethnicity or bloodlines but by fidelity to a set of ideas."
The president touted his administration's move, to stop deporting young people.
But he acknowledged there was more work to be done, for a complete overhaul of the immigration system.
Obama also said, "As members of our military, you raised your hand and took an oath of service. It is an honor for me to serve as your commander-in-chief. Today you raised your hand and have taken an oath of citizenship and I could not be prouder to be among the first to greet you as my fellow Americans."
The president spoke shortly after returning to the White House from Camp David.
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