Taking the Oath of Citizenship

This summer, the Mountainair Dispatch was invited to observe a citizenship ceremony officiated by the Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services and hosted by the Friends of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument at the national monument’s Quarai unit. Due to security concerns, the event was not widely publicized (and indeed this photo essay was held back from publication for a time for the same reason). Nonetheless, roughly 100 guests attended the event. American Legion Post 22, from Estancia, provided flag bearers and a color guard. County Commissioner Sam Schropp attended the event on behalf of Torrance County. Representatives of Isleta Pueblo were in attendance as well. The new citizens hailed from countries including Cambodia, Guatemala, India, Liberia, Mexico, Moldova, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam.