Twenty-two new Americans took the Oath of Citizenship at Principal Park, home of the Iowa Cubs, as part of the team’s 17th Annual Naturalization Ceremony celebrating Independence Day.
Des Moines, IA – Few things are more American than baseball, hot dogs, fireworks—and becoming a U.S. citizen on the eve of the Fourth of July. On Thursday, July 3, the Iowa Cubs, in partnership with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, welcomed 22 individuals as new U.S. citizens during a special pre-game ceremony at Principal Park.
The event took place ahead of the Iowa Cubs’ game against the Omaha Storm Chasers. One of the day’s honorees, Franco Caramelino of Argentina, threw the ceremonial first pitch. Caramelino first came to Iowa as a student ambassador in 2015, later attended Simpson College in Indianola, met his partner, and has now achieved his dream of U.S. citizenship.
“It’s like a dream come true. I’m very proud to take my oath in a place that, in my opinion, is very special,” Caramelino said.
Photo by Tar Macias / Hola Iowa
This marks the 17th consecutive year the Iowa Cubs have hosted the on-field naturalization ceremony.
“It’s special,” said Randy Wehofer, Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the Iowa Cubs. “The ballpark is where people come to make memories—and what better memory than becoming a new citizen. We’re honored to be part of it.”
Magistrate Judge Stephen Locher of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa presided over the ceremony and delivered the keynote address, while Deputy Clerk Penny Luthens administered the Oath of Allegiance.
The new citizens come from 18 countries across five continents. Among them was Perla Esmeralda Rodriguez Almanza from Aguascalientes, Mexico, who has lived in the U.S. for six years.
“I’m so happy and excited to be here,” Rodríguez shared. “I was intimidated by the idea of the citizenship interview, but the test wasn’t that hard. I’m glad I did it.”
Photo by Tar Macias / Hola Iowa
Since the first on-field ceremony in 2009, a total of 511 new citizens have been naturalized at Principal Park. Additionally, more than 4,000 candidates have taken the Oath of Citizenship during other ceremonies at the ballpark over the past six years.
This is the complete list of the 22 people that became new citizens this evening:
Maitri Kamleshkumar Patel, India
Carisa Joella Sayon, Trinidad and Tobago
Yu Deng, China
Marisela Elizabeth Cordova, Honduras
Elizabeth Ruacho, Mexico
Franco Caramelino, Argentina
Renata Magalhaes Casadei, Brazil
Harith Muthanna Alanbagi, Iraq
Aker Lual Maluok, Sudan
Catia Brose Leyser, Brazil
Philomene Nchak Manjio Ba-Musoro, Cameroon
Godlove Ba-Musoro, Cameroon
Jennifer Hmangaihzuali, Burma
Sabitri Aryal, Nepal
Ulrike Berit Gift, Germany
Joseph Mathenge Warutere, Kenya
Nadia Murobyi, Rwanda
Shivani Kharbanda, Malaysia
Perla Esmeralda Rodriguez Almanza, Mexico
Yasmine Ali Abdell Abutalib, Egypt
Hoi Par, Burma
Althair Ramses Peralta Quintana, Venezuela
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