If you've never attended a naturalization ceremony before, you should. Some thoughts on my experience in Dayton yesterday. THREAD:
A month ago I received an invitation to speak at a naturalization ceremony in Dayton, Ohio (and I’m so grateful my teaching schedule would permit it).
It was one of the most moving, humbling, and profoundly American experiences I’ve had in my nearly four decades as a U.S. Citizen myself.
The federal courtroom was packed w/families and loved ones of the soon-to-be new citizens, along w/members of the Dayton community.
Magistrate Judge Newman presided, and he gave a warm welcome to these 40 soon-to-be new citizens who came from 22 different countries.
Each of the applicants proudly stood and faced the audience to introduce themselves and their countries of origin.
It’s hard to capture in words the feeling in the courtroom during these introductions, but it was a room full of smiles, tears, and joy.
I’ve never felt prouder to be a U.S. citizen than at that moment.
The new citizens were sworn in, and then Judge Newman turned the time over to me to share some remarks.
I had spent weeks trying to figure out what I could possibly say to these new citizens, as their stories were no doubt more inspiring than any wisdom I could offer.
So I shared a little from my experience of clerking for #SCOTUS Justice Kennedy.
After talking a little bit about role of #SCOTUS and judiciary more generally in our constitutional republic, I shared some of my experiences clerking.
I talked about role of fed courts in protecting rule of law and our civil rights and liberties, and how seriously the justices take their constitutional duties in that respect.
I brought w/me a copy of the U.S. Constitution. It was one Jen and I received from Justice Kennedy after our first child—Michael—was born.
I shared with these new citizens the inscription Justice Kennedy included in the front cover: “Michael, who will come to love America.”
I then shared w/the new citizens one of my favorite parts of the Constitution—the First Amendment.
I talked about how, as a person of faith, I was grateful for religion clauses, which guarantee me right to worship w/o gov’t interference and protect against gov’t preference of one religion over another (or no religion at all).
I touched briefly on imp of the freedom of speech and press as safeguards for dissenting or unpopular views and for exposing gov’t abuse and inefficiency.
But I focused primarily on last two protections: to peaceably assemble and to petition gov’t for redress of grievances.
In that context, I talked about imp of voting and of expressing one’s views in the public square and to one’s elected representatives.
I encouraged them to be engaged citizens—to be participants and not just spectators—and how their life experiences can help shape better policies and enrich their communities.
I explained that, for me, the 1st Amendment exists not only to expressly protect those rights but also to encourage us to exercise them.
At the end of the ceremony, I had the honor of shaking the hand of each new citizen and handing out the certificate of citizenship.
Many had pictures taken w/their loved ones and the judge (and me). I’ve never seen that much pride in being a part of the USA.
I’m grateful for those 40 new citizens from 22 different countries. Their experience has inspired me to be a better citizen and teacher of the law.
If you’ve never been to a naturalization ceremony before, please don’t way nearly 39 years like I did.
It is a singular opportunity to experience the U.S. Constitution in action and to better appreciate what U.S. citizenship means to those who choose to immigrate here. /END
