16-04-2025
Amid immigration concerns, 25 Michiganders become US citizens in Detroit ceremony
A group of immigrants from around the world became U.S. citizens April 16 during what organizers called a 'profoundly moving and historic' naturalization ceremony held in Detroit.
The 25 new Americans hailed from 12 countries — Bangladesh, Egypt, France, Gambia, Jordan, South Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Uganda and Yemen. They took the Oath of Allegiance at Wayne County Community College District, pledging their loyalty to a nation they worked so hard to join.
'I feel excited to be part of the political process. I can't wait to vote. I can't wait for my voice to be heard,' said Jainaba Faal, 42, who came to the U.S. from Gambia to join her husband. 'It's now time for me to give back to the United States.'
Faal, who lives in Dearborn Heights and works as a procurement expert at Michigan State University, spent three years working toward her citizenship. Before immigrating, she served in her home country's government, and now dreams of one day working for the federal government in the U.S., she told the Free Press.
"It's now time for me to give back to the United States," Faal said.
The ceremony was organized by the American Human Rights Council, in partnership with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, amid President Donald Trump's push for a stricter immigration agenda and expanded deportation efforts.
Imad Hamad, executive director of AHRC, said the timing of the ceremony sends a strong message of unity and beauty in diversity, as the political climate is currently filled with 'anxiety,' 'fear,' and 'speculation.'
"To hold such a precious ceremony amid all of that, it's a statement by itself," Hamad added. "This is a day of pride."
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That sense of pride — and relief — was echoed by Alia Khalil, 42, a mother of two from Lebanon who now lives in Canton. She was joined by her husband as she took the oath.
"My kids are American, and I came to this country seven years ago. It has been a long journey, so I feel great today," Khalil said. "After everything we're hearing about people being detained and even deported, I feel better now with my citizenship. I'm more secure; I'm safer."
In a statement, AHRC described the event as 'a symbolic passage into a life filled with opportunity and the limitless promise that defines America.'
U.S. Circuit Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals administered the oath. In her address, she emphasized that becoming an American doesn't mean leaving one's culture behind.
'The freedom that's guaranteed by our Constitution means that you're not required to leave at the door, or to leave at the border's edge, the culture that you grew up with, the foods that you love, your values, your customs,' Davis said. 'You can still retain those and ... merge into what we know is the United States of America. The tapestry that is America is broad and colorful, and it's multilayered.'
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@ Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'I can't wait to vote': 25 immigrants sworn in as citizens in Detroit
