OKLAHOMA CITY — Thirty-nine immigrants from 23 countries took the final step toward U.S. citizenship Friday, raising their right hands and swearing the citizenship oath during a naturalization ceremony at Oklahoma City Community College in southwest Oklahoma City.
The emotional event marked the culmination of months of preparation, including a rigorous exam, a full background check and a formal review by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Each new citizen relinquished their Green Card and embraced the full responsibilities of American citizenship.
Rodney Floyd, a 13-year USCIS examiner who briefed the candidates before the ceremony, told Free Press that the naturalization process generally takes between four and six months.
“I’m always excited to be a part of this process,” Floyd said.
He reminded the new citizens to update all official documents and consider applying for a U.S. passport immediately.
The ceremony was presided over by U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones, who offered words of encouragement before administering the oath.
After they repeated the Oath of Allegiance — a formal vow to support and defend the Constitution and to serve the country when called upon — the newest Americans were addressed by Fred Mendoza, a longtime Oklahoma City resident and naturalized citizen.
In a moving and often personal speech, Mendoza shared his family’s immigrant story, recounting how his father fled the Mexican Revolution in 1914 after the loss of his family and land, eventually settling in Southeast Kansas with the Santa Fe Railroad.
“This is probably the greatest honor that I have ever had,” Mendoza said. “I’ve seen my parents in this audience who came to this country from Mexico… I remember vividly when my father was naturalized. I was 12 years old. I still have that picture in my mind.”
Mendoza spoke candidly about growing up as the 11th of 13 children, some born in railroad rock cars, and watching his mother clean churches and sell tamales at community events to support the family.
Despite being told he could not attend college, Mendoza went on to become a White House consultant during the Nixon administration.
“Take a look in the mirror,” Mendoza told the crowd. “Because you’ll be looking at the American dream, and no one will ever be able to take that away from you. No one.”
Quoting President Barack Obama, Mendoza emphasized that America’s strength comes from its diversity and its rejection of fixed roles or limits based on origin.
“We’re not a nation of victims,” Mendoza said. “We’re a nation of victorious people from all over this world that create one culture — the American culture.”
Mendoza ended his remarks with an earnest call for the new citizens to carry their story forward.
“What you’re doing today is not just about you,” he said. “It’s about your story — and it’s a story that needs to continue.”
Brett is the founder, and editor in chief of Oklahoma City Free Press. He continues to contribute reporting and photography to the efforts of the publication as well as leadership in developing support.
