U-S Magistrate Carolyn Ostby was the first to welcome 25 people from 16 countries as new U.S. Citizens. Ostby presided over the naturalization ceremony at the James F. Battin Federal Courthouse in Billings, Montana.
She says while the new citizens swore to abandon all allegiance to the government of any foreign state or country, they don’t have to give up their love of the country or the people where they were born.
“It doesn’t mean that you should forget or ever deny your native heritage,” Ostby says. “On the contrary, the best of your culture can be the best of ours.”
Ostby told the new U.S. citizens their traditions not only enrich their families, but also America itself.
“We must always remember this country was founded on diversity of many tribes, many countries and many cultures,” Ostby says. “We’ve been blessed with the rich culture and traditions built by our Native Americans citizens and by the constant influx of people with cultures and traditions from around the world.”
Ostby says it is not an exaggeration to say the very survival of our country “depends on our values and diversity, tolerance, dignity, and respect.”
She says U-S Citizenship also brings with it freedom.
Ostby urges the new citizens to become active members of their communities and to learn about the candidates running for office, consider running for elected office, and to vote.
The February 18, 2016 ceremony welcomed 25 immigrants from Australia, Canada, People’s Republic of China, Columbia, Fiji, Honduras, India, Iran, Liberia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Panama, Philippines, and Thailand.