By CAITLIN SULLIVAN/Staff
Neil Hainsworth snapped a photo of his girlfriend Ingrid Marie Cortes Abeleda, 25, as she shook the hand of Judge James P. Jones at the federal courthouse during a naturalization ceremony last week.
“It finally happened,” Abeleda said. “I just know now that it is official.”
Originally from the Philippines, Abeleda moved to Abingdon when she was 7. She said becoming a citizen solidifies what she believes in.
“I love this country and everything it stands for, its role in the international world and how it governs,” Abeleda said.
Jones presided over the naturalization of 11 new citizens Friday. There are three naturalization ceremonies at the Abingdon courthouse each year.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be the first to say to you, my fellow citizens,” Jones said during the ceremony. “Our country was founded on the rule of law. Our nation has grown and prospered because of new citizens from around the world. Our country would be entirely different if citizens like you did not come seeking a new future.”
Tesfamariam Mebrahtom Tedla sat in the front row of the courtroom. He was born in Eritrea but has lived in the U.S. for 12 years. He is a physician in Grundy and said he came to this country because he considers the U.S. a country of opportunity.
“It is a wonderful country with great opportunities and a lot of freedom,” Tedla said. “This is my happiest day in my life.”
To contact Caitlin Sullivan e-mail csullivan@wythenews.com or call (276) 628-7101.
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