Nearly 100 new citizens sworn in on Fourth of July in Mesa

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

​Ninety-six new U.S. citizens were sworn in at a U.S. District Court of Arizona ceremony on July 4, Independence Day, at the Mesa Convention Center.

USCIS Immigration Services Phoenix Field Office Section Chief Cynthia Yanez read much of the necessary documents and congratulated the new citizens.

There were 96 immigrants sworn in as naturalized U.S. citizens July 4 at the Mesa Convention Center.

Before she administered the Oath of Allegiance to the U.S., Yanez pointed out the 96 new citizens represented 31 different home countries.

Those countries include Afghanistan, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Israel, Jordan, Poland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Uruguay. Yanez read off all 31 nations, saving one for last that was sure to get the most cheers and yells: Mexico.

U.S. District Judge Krissa M. Lanham presided over the ceremony, which was conducted as an official court proceeding.

The sometimes-emotional ceremony in been held in Mesa since 2015 by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Mesa City Council member Jenn Duff gave the opening remarks, talking about her European roots.

Mesa Mayor John Giles was the keynote speaker at the event, congratulating the new citizens on persevering and completing their journey. He extolled the importance of local government and implored the citizens to get involved and attend meetings of local commissions, boards and councils.

The citizens also watched a prerecorded video, on large screens, of President Joe Biden congratulating them, in which Biden said “citizen” is his favorite title.

Staff aiding with voter registration and with Social Security Administration items were on hand in the back of the room, with long lines for each of those two indoor stations after the event.

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A tearful Walt Zimmerman of the Sertoma Club led 96 about-to-be U.S. citizens and hundreds of spectators in the Pledge of Allegiance before the July 4 citizenship ceremony for 96 people at the Mesa Convention Center.

Mesa Council member Jenn Duff addresses the crowd at the July 4 citizenship ceremony for 96 people at the Mesa Convention Center.

U.S. District Judge Krissa M. Lanham speaks to the 96 people assembled during the July citizenship ceremony at the Mesa Convention Center. The ceremony was held in the context of a court proceeding.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.