In her remarks, Manglona told the new citizens that she, too, “was not born as a U.S. citizen” but became one by virtue of the Covenant establishing a political union between the CNMI and the U.S.
Manglona told the new U.S. citizens they were purposely seated in the jury box to remind them of one of their duties as Americans.
It was U.S. Immigration Services Officer Dianne Zedde presented to the federal court the 12 candidates: one from Japan; two, Korea; two, China; and seven, the Philippines.
Manglona administered the oath of allegiance and joined the new citizens in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Obama greeted and welcomed the new citizens through a video presentation.
Fourth and fifth grade students of Whispering Palms School who were on a field trip for their citizenship class also witnessed the ceremony.
Emelita Mauricio Kisa, 68, said it was unfortunate that her husband Jesus, 65, was not there to witness her swearing in.
“My husband passed away last January. He was the one who was very persistent for me to pursue my citizenship,” Mrs. Kisa told Variety.
She was joined by their daughter during the naturalization ceremony.
Mrs. Kisa, who hails from Taytay, Rizal province in the Philippines, arrived on Saipan 25 years ago, and worked as a seamstress in a dress shop.
Maria Corazon San Nicolas, 24, for her part, urged other immediate relatives of U.S. citizens to exercise patience and to go through the legal process.
A librarian at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, San Nicolas arrived on Saipan in 2005.
A native of Pampanga province in the Philippines, San Nicolas said she worked on her “green card” and naturalization application for six years.
According to a Government Accountability Office report, as of June 1, 2011, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services had processed 1,033 CNMI applications for permanent residency and 96 CNMI applications for naturalization or citizenship.
