Naturalization ceremony welcomes 52 new citizens at Sagamore Hill
The event, held ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary, was hosted by the Honorable Robert A. Katzmann, Justice for All: Courts and the Community Initiative, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
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Fifty‑two immigrants from 24 countries took the Oath of Allegiance on Wednesday morning during a special Independence Day naturalization ceremony at the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, once President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Summer White House.”
The event, held ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary, was hosted by the Honorable Robert A. Katzmann, Justice for All: Courts and the Community Initiative, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
For many, the moment marked the culmination of decades. Westbury's Amit Singh, who is originally from India, became overwhelmed with emotion as he hugged his family following the ceremony. He said the day felt like “20 years in the making.” Singh arrived in the United States at age 9.
“I’ve always considered this place my home,” he said. “Now I’m an American citizen… Relief, acceptance. I’m going to celebrate this as a new birthday.”
Singh said becoming a citizen just days before the nation’s 250th anniversary deepened the meaning.
“Liberty, equality, pursuit of happiness — that’s why my parents came here,” he said. “This is what makes the U.S. We’re a combination of all the people who have come before us… a big melting pot. And that's what makes America great.”
For Floral Park's Martin Barfield, who is originally from England, the day also brought unexpected emotion.
“It actually started 19 years ago when I first came to America to work,” Barfield said. “I met my now‑wife, and I’ve been here very happy… It’s the right time to become a citizen.”
He added that he has always looked forward to voting for the first time.
"To actually be a citizen and get to live the rest of my life here with my family is just amazing,” he said.
