New US citizens pose with Minnesota district chief Judge Patrick Schiltz, who led the naturalization ceremony at the Minnesota State Fair’s International Bizarre stage.
FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (KFGO/WCCO) – Monday’s naturalization ceremony at the Minnesota State Fair was just as meaningful for the man who delivered the oath of allegiance.
That’s because the grandparents of Minnesota District Chief Federal Judge Patrick Schiltz both came to the US as immigrants.
“My grandmother, that little girl who came over on the boat, who did not know a single word of English, who did not know how to read or write, who had no money, who was able to eat only because a kind German man gave her slices of his apple, she almost lived long enough to see her grandson become a federal judge,” he told the new citizens.
This came after Judge Schiltz asked the group from 16 different countries to raise their right hands, and pledge allegiance to their new country.
“Congratulations, you are American citizens,” he told them, and they responded with a loud cheer, many of them waving small American flags.
The shouts of joy also rose from the people sitting in the warm conditions in front of the International Bizarre stage.
Many of them family members who went through the process with their loved ones.
A process that took more than five years for some.
“A lot of doors are going to open up,” said Jesus Carillo, one of seven from Mexico who took the oath on Monday. “I feel great, I feel happy. My dream came true, I thought it was impossible.”
Carillo said he didn’t do it himself.
“With the help of God and my people that surround me, (they) made this possible,” he said.
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Publish date : 2024-08-26 06:57:00
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