The newest Americans

Clutching tiny American flags and holding their right hands to their hearts, 25 immigrants became Americans Friday in Cape Girardeau.

The second naturalization ceremony ever held at the Federal Building included people from 11 countries across the world petitioning to become United States citizens.

Nishanth Visagaratnam, 26, of Cape Girardeau could hardly contain her excitement following the ceremony.

"I'm extremely happy," she said with a wide grin. "I'm an American."

Visagaratnam and her family came to the United States 22 years ago as refugees fleeing a civil war in Sri Lanka. For the last 10 years, Visagaratnam has attempted to become a U.S. citizen, something she said can be difficult for refugees.

"It's worth it," she said of the process.

Potential citizens must live legally in the United States for five years, have "good moral character" and be reviewed by 14 government agencies and departments, including the FBI.

"You have the stamp of approval," U.S. Magistrate Judge Lewis M. Blanton told them with a laugh.

Blanton, who administered the oath of allegiance to the new citizens, welcomed the 25 to their new home but encouraged them not to forget their roots.

"I urge you not to discard what is true and good from the culture from which you came," he said. The new citizens came from such countries as China, India, Germany and Canada.

After the ceremony, volunteers from the League of Women Voters registered to vote any new citizen who chose to.

Diane Reyes, 21, of Cape Girardeau registered to vote following the ceremony and said she looks forward to obtaining her U.S. passport. Reyes has not traveled back to her native Philippines since moving to the United States 13 years ago.

Peter Gordon, 54, a professor at Southeast Missouri State University who originally is from Australia, obtained his citizenship after living in the United States for 30 years.

"I've been here for so long. All my kids were born here, it just seemed about time," he said.

Gordon, who also registered to vote following the ceremony, said he looks forward to participating in the electoral process.

"I'd like to have a little bit of a say," he said.

The court hopes to hold naturalization ceremonies at least once a year and as much as possible, according to Missouri Eastern District court clerk Jim Woodward. The last ceremony was in November and was the first of its kind in Cape Girardeau in at least 35 years.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127