The new faces of the U.S.: 100 become citizens in rare local ceremony

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Yiannis John Kaznessis paused for a few seconds after he was handed the certificate that declared him a new citizen of the United States.


He grasped it proudly, staring for a quiet moment at the piece of paper that bore his name, his photo and the seal of approval that allows the New Brighton man the rights of a U.S. citizen, including the right to vote and serve on a jury.

“I’m happy, very happy, of course,” Kaznessis said.

The 37-year-old man from Greece had waited 14 years to become a citizen. He was among almost 100 area residents who were naturalized as U.S. citizens during a ceremony Wednesday at St. Cloud City Hall.

Many government officials said it was the first naturalization ceremony in St. Cloud in recent memory.

Among the 34 countries represented were Cambodia, Liberia, Pakistan and Peru. About 15 Somalis took part in the ceremony as well, with aid in the naturalization process from Lutheran Social Service, said Mohamed Yusuf, the agency’s program manager for refugee employment and social service.

“The face of our country is changing rapidly,” said U.S. District Judge Ann D. Montgomery, who presided over the ceremony. “These ceremonies represent the changing face of America.”

Citizenship rises

More than 10,000 immigrants became citizens in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and western Wisconsin last year, up from 4,600 in 2000. Federal judges in the state have scheduled 55 naturalization ceremonies for this year, up from 37 last year.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services plan to have about 1,300 people participate in a naturalization ceremony Sept. 9 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

St. Cloud immigration attorney Laura Tripiciano, who is a member of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, helped organize the local naturalization ceremony, saying she works with many immigrants to become citizens. It was her dream to have a ceremony here, she said.

“They would have to go the Twin Cities, and it would be hard to have family members and friends come to participate,” she said.

Among the audience members were several elected government officials including Sen. Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud, and St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis.

Proud of the U.S.

The newly recognized U.S. citizens waved their small American flags proudly as flashes from cameras and loud cheers from their friends and family surrounded them.

Among them was Deyo Ajayi, who came from Nigeria with her husband about five years ago. Ajayi said she relocated to the country for her husband’s job.

“I want to be able to serve the country with my love and provide an opportunity to my children,” Ajayi said.

Kleis addressed the audience, saying that often American-born citizens take the country’s freedoms for granted, but he knew that the new incoming citizens would not.

“You chose to be U.S. citizens,” Kleis said. “It’s a day of pride for the community.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.