Newly naturalized citizens celebrate after being confirmed as new American citizens during a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.
Hannah Ruhoff
Thirty-nine immigrants are now American citizens following a naturalization ceremony Friday at Dan M. Russell Federal Courthouse in Gulfport.
The ceremony was presided over by U.S. District Judge Halil Sul Ozerden, whose father himself became a naturalized citizen after immigrating from Turkey 59 years ago. Ozerden had his father’s suitcase and plane ticket, the only things he came to the United States with, on display during the ceremony alongside his father’s own naturalization document.
“I’m living proof that what you’ve done today is not only for yourself but for your future generations,” Ozerden said during the ceremony. “Who knows, one of your children could be sitting where I am today. For those who work toward their goals, anything is possible.”
The ceremony was accompanied by performances from Carpenter’s Wood, a choir from William Carey University, who sung “America the Beautiful” and “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”.
The ceremony was one of the first held since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Thirty-nine new United States citizens pledge their allegiance to the United States during a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff
Flor Margarita Jefferson places her hand on her heart for the anthem after becoming an American citizen in a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff
Maria De Lourdes Bailey Juan takes a selfie with her family after becoming an American citizen after a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff
The suitcase and plane tickets U.S. District Judge Halil Ozerden’s father carried with him when he immigrated from Turkey sit on the bench with his naturalization documents during a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff
U.S. District Judge Halil Ozerden leads the pledge of allegiance for a group of newly naturalized citizens during a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff
A woman wears American flag high heels after being confirmed as an American citizen at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff
U.S. Judge Halil Ozerden presented naturalization documents to each new American citizen during a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff
Carpenter’s Wood choir from William Carey University sings “America the Beautiful” during a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff
Maria De Lourdes Bailey Juan tears up after becoming an American citizen during a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff
A woman hugs her son after becoming a naturalized American citizen during a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff
New American citizens sing the star spangled banner during a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff
U.S. Judge Halil Ozerden presented naturalization documents to each new American citizen during a naturalization ceremony at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Gulfport on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Hannah Ruhoff
