JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp hosted a naturalization ceremony before its game at VyStar Ballpark on Saturday.
The 20 citizenship candidates participating in the ceremony originate from 17 countries: Albania, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Ethiopia, Germany, Haiti, Jamaica, Lebanon, Peru, Philippines, Serbia, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
The ceremony included their first pledge of allegiance and an oath to the U.S.
“Its a long process,” U.S. Magistrate Judge Patty Barksdale said. “These citizens have to pass examinations. They have to speak English. They have to be of good moral character and a number of other requirements.”
Kevin Mierez-Galo was originally born in Canada and that it took nearly a decade to get here. He said he watched his parents come to the country as refugees and go through the process.
He said all his friends and family were able to come and watch.
“Its just like a big open hug from the community,” he said. “I’m going to cry no questions.”
The court said it has plans to host similar public ceremonies in schools, Jaguars games, the city’s World of Nations Celebration and more.