THIRTY-NINE individuals became U.S. citizens on March 21, 2022 after being sworn in at a naturalization ceremony at the District Court for the NMI.
The federal court held two sessions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, to swear in the new Americans.
Patricia Phelan, U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services officer, made the motion in court to accept the applicants as new citizens.
Presiding over the special session, Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona granted the motion of the immigration officer and welcomed the new U.S. citizens to the American family.
In remarks, Judge Manglona noted that the new citizens will join the CNMI community in celebrating Commonwealth Covenant Day.
“Nearly 46 years ago today, March 24, 1976, [President] Gerald Ford signed the [Covenant]…that established the relationship between the United States and the future Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It is a day to celebrate the unique relationship between the CNMI and the United States. It also has a significant meaning for us here in the District Court because it was through this Covenant that the District Court for the NMI was established,” she added.
The new citizens who were sworn in in the morning were Maria O’Malley, Sheryl Rose Manago Alarzar, Leonardo Almario Aque, Ella Ballesteros Babauta, Ronnie Domingo Bondoc, Lina Lastimoso Cabrera, Aurelio and Rosanna Cayabyab, Armi Dispo Cucal, Erlinda Reyes Dalupo, Ana Lisa Faranal Delos Reyes, Luzviminda Pineda Domingo, Nida Rodriguez Dosalua, Ana Myrra Pineda Francisco, Vivencio Leyno Martin, Maria Loren Palacio Priest, Antonietta Romero Aquino San Gabriel, Corazon Suelto San Gabriel, Gener Ravelo San Nicolas, Dulce Olarte Tudela, and Evangeline Landicho
Those sworn in in the afternoon were Cristina Contreras Acquiatan, Mamerto Aguilar Arboliras, Juanita Mole Arriola, Shiela Marisy Borja, Maria Felicitas Delos Santos Camacho, Maria Jocelyn Jao Cruz, Rosalina Demot Dipus, Hwa Mi Park Elliott, Clemencia Ubas Gabio, Randy Joey Dalida Garcia, Rashidul Islam, Julieta Rueda Jones, Marvirick Yacan Joyce, Marjory Antonio Kozij, Miguel Baplor Lagare, Leonardo Pangoen Laoyan, Arlene Anico Muna, and Xing Norman Jun.
U.S. Army Col. Jennifer L. Fischer was the guest speaker for the naturalization ceremonies.
