Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Sixty more people in this region got a simple message Monday at what, for them, may have been the most important day of their lives: Welcome home.
The 60 are the latest to take their oaths and became naturalized American citizens.
Reasons for why they did it varied, but for Marilexy Johnson, who came here from the Dominical Republic but lives in Chatham, she did it for her husband.
“It’s a dream for a lot of people that they want to be…here to get this done,” said Johnson. “I did it, and I am so proud of myself, and my family, they support me a lot.”
“Welcome home,” by the way, was the last thing Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher told the group. But, before that, Buscher advised them to get involved in civics.
“I asked those that were here to make sure they exercise their right to vote,” said Buscher, “to serve on a jury, to run for office if they want to. Now that they’re an American citizen [sic], they can do any of those things, and I embrace that with them.”
Doesn’t that mean that any of them could run against Buscher in an upcoming election?
“Well, you know, competition is what makes the world go around, right?” said Buscher, with a laugh.
Under the law, naturalized citizens can run for any public office, except that of President and Vice President.
It may take many wanting to become citizens a long time to go through the process, answer all of the questions asked of them, do their homework, and other things under the process. Johnson only started the official process in May, but she says that was long enough.
“For the next people that will apply and try to become a citizen, do it,” said Johnson. “It looks hard, the process, and maybe the situation at home isn’t really convenient right now, but it’s worth it.”
Johnson, in addition to encouragement of her husband and family, took review courses offered through Lincoln Land Community College.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless presided over Monday’s ceremony. There are at least four naturalization ceremonies led by federal judges every year at the Old State Capitol.
