Thursday morning, 48 people from 28 nations renounced allegiance to their country of birth and then swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and to bear arms on behalf of the U.S. or perform noncombative service when required by law.
In less than 60 seconds, they became America’s newest citizens at the annual Law Week Naturalization Ceremony at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse.
A naturalization ceremony in conjunction with Law Day is an annual tradition for the Jacksonville legal community, said Senior U.S. District Judge Harvey Schlesinger, who presided over the ceremony.
Schlesinger said when he returned to Jacksonville after leaving active duty in the Army in 1968, he was immediately appointed chair of the Jacksonville Bar Association Citizenship Committee.
He has since been regularly attending naturalization ceremonies.
“It always is very special to watch as people leave the room bearing the noble title ‘citizen of the United States of America.’ It is a privilege and an honor to offer you a warm and sincere welcome,” Schlesinger said to the new Americans.
The oath was witnessed by presidents and other representatives of the local voluntary Bar associations, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, as well as members of the local chapters of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution.
Representatives from the Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office attended to help the naturalized citizens register to vote as they left the courtroom.
Joanne Fakhre, an immigration and nationality law attorney, was the principal speaker at the ceremony.
Born In Lebanon, she grew up on the Caribbean island of Grenada before moving to Jacksonville at 17.
Fakhre graduated from the University of North Florida with a master’s degree in 1995 and then in 1999 from Florida Coastal School of Law.
She explained what being a U.S. citizen has meant for her, an immigrant who became a naturalized in 2010.
“This is a moment that will change your lives and open the door to so many incredible opportunities,” she said.
“Twenty-eight nations walked into this room today. Only one nation will walk out. We stand here all the same, as one.”
