12-04-2025
Candidates granted United States citizenship in Johnstown ceremony
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — Forty candidates from 24 countries earned their United States citizenship during a ceremony at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Friday morning.
According to our partners at the Tribune-Democrat, the growing concerns about immigration have hit Cambria County. The county commissioners agreed to allow US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove detained illegal immigrants from the prison.
Those who are arrested and flagged as illegal immigrants by the Department of Homeland Security will be held without bail due to immigration status. Officials say this won't impact jail operations and described the action as a continuation with the federal agencies.
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This did not stop those who finished the legal process to earn their citizenship.
'It's a really amazing adventure to come to another country, but I can tell you this country's spiritual, and I find out American culture is very cool,' Maria Smith, a naturalized citizen originally from Costa Rica said. 'And I'm really proud to be part of it.'
'I'm so proud. Just so happy for everyone here,' newly granted American citizen Asma Yagob, originally from Sudan, said.
Each candidate was honored at the event with the support of friends and family, sharing their story of why they wanted to come to America.
'America is the land of dreams,' Yagob said. 'And since I came here, I have the opportunity to meet different people from different backgrounds. I have the opportunity to continue my education as I graduated from medical school in Sudan.'
'It's just a day where we are reminded about what it means to be a citizen and how we should all try to live up to our obligations to make our country a better place,' Dr. Jem Spectar, president of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown said.
Dr. Spectar was ecstatic when he was asked to host the ceremony at his campus. As a former candidate who was naturalized, the ceremony hits home to him seeing how families reacted to their own going through that process.
'It's a wonderful moment to see these new Americans, to see the excitement on their faces and to have their loved ones here,' Dr. Spectar said.
The candidates now have an added stress relieved from their shoulders, eligible to enjoy the freedoms and liberties of other Americans. Today, they celebrate by waving small flags to show their newfound citizenship or taking pictures with a bigger-sized one.
The next steps ahead, however, will vary from candidate to candidate.
'I would like to maybe go back to school,' Smith said. 'Why not? I consider many I have many projects in mind.'
'My American dream is to have a better life for me, for my two daughters and, serve the community,' Yagob added. 'And so, I love being a dentist, helping people look at smiles. I feel like I'm living my dream.'
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