The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has awarded certificate of citizenship to a Nigerian boy, Master Fareed Adeleke, and 31 other children from 25 countries.

The 32 children originate from the following 25 countries: Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Israel, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Russia, Suriname, Togo, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

The new US citizens derived their citizenship from their parents and range in age from 5 to 13 years old.

Speaking at the special citizenship ceremony held at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Bronx  Zoo on Friday, Congressman José E. Serrano, U.S. House of Representatives, 15 Congressional District of New York said that the event is a testimony that America does not discriminate irrespective background nor country of origin.

Congressman José E. Serrano

Serrano during a private interview with NEWSVERGE said, “Well, some people are saying no immigrant, kick people out, kick Muslims out but we are saying we appreciate the fact that people want to become American citizen and we will celebrate with them. As a Congressman, I come here to celebrate the fact that these are new Americans who will grow up to be very important personality in the country.

“Who knows if the next President of the United States of America is in that group, the next journalist, scientist, doctor, a professor, a teacher, Baseball player, soccer player among others is in that group.

“We must remind our President, Donald J. Trump, we don’t have to make America great again, America is already great, we just need more people to be part of it.”

The U.S. Congressman, therefore, advised parents of the awardees to keep up with what they use to do that got their wards the merit to become American citizen. “My advice to the parents is, don’t lose your culture, don’t lose your background, don’t lose your language, don’t lose your religion but become an American under one umbrella.

Also, John Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) said, “Today is not about controversies surrounding the US immigration policy, rather, it is about the greatest thing about our country. It is the recognition that we are a great country that we welcome people from all over the world and we will continue to do that.

“I was born to an immigrant three blocks away from the zoo and that has a special memory for me and my family. So for the children to become citizens today, it is a memory they will have for the rest of their lives.”

John Calvelli, however, noted that though there will always be differences in policies, opinion in the country but said that the only thing that will not happen is that the country will never turn its back on immigrants and its people.

He however, challenged the new US citizens to do well in their academic pursuit, listen to their parents and become productive member of the society.

Speaking on the selection of the 32 new citizens, Ms Barbara Felska, Deputy Field Office Director, USCIS New York City Field Office, said that the selection was based on random process, adding that the awardees are “lucky children”.

She also mentioned that there are other occasions whereby the country celebrates citizenship amongst which is children day and other special days.

Speaking with Master Fareed Adeleke, 8 years old, who sound so confident promised to stand to fight against many social devices in the society.

Master Adeleke, who now has a dual citizenship of Nigeria and U.S. spoke of his dream to become a medical doctor.

AUDIO INTERVIEW WITH US CONGRESSMAN:

The awardees

The children taking oath of allegiance

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