US Citizenship Oath-Taking
Posted By Admin on June 19, 2009
Finally last June 17, I was sworn-in as a US citizen. I took a day-off for this special day since the ceremony will be starting at 9:15 am .
We got there at the venue, the Paramount Theatre, in Oakland at around 8 am I think. We were able to park at the nearby public parking for 10 dollars for the whole day parking. When we got to the theatre, there were already a long line of people on both sides of the theatre so me and my husband fell in line too. People passing by were looking at us and maybe wondering what in the world we were doing there so early in the morning lining up for a movie. I wanted to wave to them and say, “we’re here for our citizenship oath-taking!” but I didn’t do that of course. Anyway, after sometime some USCIS officers went out and checked our appointment letter. They instructed us what section we will be going. Mine was section 4.
Around 8:30 we were all ushered in. The guests and families of oath-takers were not allowed to stay with those who will be sworn-in. They had to stay in the balcony of the theatre. Anyway, I went in to the section 4, and the officer in charge of section 4 took my appointment letter and my permanent resident card. The other officer gave me some booklets and I got to my seat with my little flag and booklets. And the waiting for the ceremony to start began.
Around 9:40 the ceremony started. Some videos were shown, some people were introduced and during the pledge of allegiance, each country was called and oath-takers belonging to that country stood up and had to remain standing until all of us were called. After the last country was called, we did the Pledge of Allegiance. Majority of the oath-takers were from India, China, Philippines and Mexico.
And at 10:30 it ended. At long last, my immigration journey is over. I feel so blessed to be a US citizen now but I also know that I still have a duty to help my former country, the Philippines. My US citizenship doesn’t change anything, I am still a Filipino , ” sa puso , sa salita at sa gawa ..”
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Been busy in the past 3 months so I haven’t read some of your blogs. Anyway, congratulations!!!
I hope to do that someday too 
God bless!
Hi Chie, thanks for dropping by! I’d definitely say go for the citizenship, whatever country you are right now.
Goodluck in your citizenship filing and best regards.