SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The New York State Fair celebrated New American Day with 51 people from 32 different countries participating in a naturalization ceremony on the fairgrounds.
“I’m just glad to be here because I feel like now I’ll be able to include myself in those conversations of people who are born in America, even if I’m not born in America, but I’ve received my citizenship today and that is a big achievement for me,” said Selaci Butoto, who emigrated from Congo in 2015.
Butoto (center) stands with friends and family after the naturalization ceremony at the New York State Fair. Joseph Ajayi (left of Butoto) also received his citizenship today.(Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)
Butoto has two sisters and six brothers, and his mother has cared for them as a single parent, he said.
“We basically were running away from conflict, looking for a better life, and she just took a leap of faith to see how life could be for us,” he said.
Butoto just began his freshman year at Syracuse University and plans to study art so he can one day open his own business to sell his work and teach art to others, he said. Receiving his citizenship gives him the opportunity to do so.
New Americans raise their hand a recite an oath during the ceremony. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)
Valens Ineza Dusabimana moved to the U.S. in 2019 from Rwanda. Now he has a wife and three children, and today he received his citizenship.
“It was my dream since I was little,” Dusabimana said. “It’s a country of opportunities, a country of wealth and health and then freedom and happiness.”
He still has family in Rwanda and traveled back there last year so his mother could meet his wife and children. While the process was challenging, Dusabimana said it was worth it.
Dusabimana smiles as he receives is naturalization certificate. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)
“It’s so amazing to become a U.S. citizen. The process was not easy, but the only thing I’ll say is you need to be humble,” he said.
New York Court of Appeals Chief Judge Rowan Wilson said he admires the work everyone put in to get to where they are today.
“To leave the place you grew up, leave the people you know, having made that decision demonstrates the real strength of character, the real purpose and the real desire to be part of this country. Those are the people that have made this country strong and made it what it is,” Wilson said.
The U.S. history with immigration has been turbulent, Wilson said.
Dusabimana and his family stand for a portrait. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)
“There were times when the country has welcomed immigrants and encouraged them to become citizens and there’s other times when the country has excluded people, has harassed them, whether they were Italians, African, Chinese, Asian. There have been unfortunate times in our history as well as very lofty aspirations and very good actions,” he said.
But Wilson said it is important to remember that these new Americans and their families have ideals and aspirations.
“You, and your family, will be the building blocks for the [future],” Wilson told them.
A girl whose mother received her citizenship today. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)
Butoto said that now everyone here has the right to speak up as citizens.
“Now you have the power to speak your mind and even at some point, make a change in the government and society because now you have the right to speak like you are not an outsider. Now you’re American,” Butoto said.
