11 become U.S. citizens in naturalization ceremony

Glacier National Park painted the backdrop as 11 people from seven countries took their oath as new U.S. citizens last Wednesday at the Apgar campground.

U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen officiated the ceremony, with Tyler Gilman, Clerk of Court, leading the new citizens from Belarus, Canada, Chad, Ukraine, Philippines, Mexico and Germany in the oath of allegiance.

“We want this to be a very important day in your life and one that you will remember,” remarked U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regional director Robert Looney.

“This is probably the greatest gift that the people of the United States can bestow on anyone, and that is the right to call yourselves and American citizen, so congratulations new U.S. citizens, we’re very proud of you.”

Looney explained that beginning six months ago, in light of the National Park Service centennial, USCIS and the Park Service partnered with the goal of hosting 100 naturalizations at national park sites around the country.

“I’m happy to say that we recently crossed that threshold. In approximately six months, around the United States, we’ve now completed approximately 105 ceremonies, and I think that number will continue to go up,” he said.

The central region, which includes Montana, is responsible for 35 naturalizations.

“I believe a lot of you were American in your heart already. This formalizes that,” Looney concluded.

Glacier National Park Deputy Superintendent Eric Smith also spoke at the ceremony.

“On behalf of Glacier National Park and the entire National Park Service, it’s my honor to welcome you here on a day you will remember as a turning point in your lives,” Smith said.

“The National Park Service is proud to partner with [USCIS] to host ceremonies like this in national parks around the country. Our National Parks are places that we as a people have agreed to set aside, to preserve, and to tell America’s story. These places are real, the stories are real, and they are your stories now. America’s National Parks belong to every American citizen. We invite you to visit, to learn, to volunteer, to enjoy, and to join us in the stewardship of these places,” he added. Judge Christensen highlighted previous immigrants, including renowned naturalist John Muir, a Scottish immigrant

“Isn’t it fitting that we are here today in Glacier National Park, thinking about an individual that inspired Teddy Roosevelt to the concept of setting aside land for the benefit of the common good?” Christensen said.

Christensen also spoke of his own Danish heritage.

“I mention this not because I think my family’s history is unique, but I mention it for exactly the opposite reason, which is that other than our proud Native American citizens, we all came to the United States from somewhere else,” Christensen said.

“Even though we are citizens of the United States, we are also citizens of the world,” he added.

Romelyn Sims, who emigrated from the Philippines, has lived in the U.S. for four years and began the process to become naturalized five or six months ago, she said.

“It was great. It’s actually the most exciting,” she said of the ceremony.

Becoming a citizen opens another door for Sims.

“Now I can petition for my mom to come,” Sims said, “and I’m excited to vote now.”

Olga Bobko, 22, is originally from Belarus, but has lived in the U.S. since she was a baby. Bobko’s husband is also from Belarus but was naturalized as a child. She, however, waited a long time for this day.

“It’s a good feeling. It’s been a long process. I feel accomplished and like I can do a lot more with my life now,” Bobko said.