February 8, 2017
"WELCOME HOME":
Syrian man leads Pledge of Allegiance at citizenship event (SOPHIA TAREEN, 2/07/17, Associated Press)
Rohi Atassi was among 117 immigrants to become the newest American citizens during a Chicago naturalization ceremony Tuesday, but the Syrian dentist stood out among his peers.The 29-year-old was unexpectedly asked to lead immigrants from 37 countries in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Federal Judge Sara Ellis, who oversaw the ceremony, asked for a Syrian volunteer after delivering an impassioned speech about the difficulties immigrants face. [...]During the ceremony, Ellis talked about her own experiences of becoming a U.S. citizen and judge. Her family is from Jamaica and she was born in Canada.
Posted by Orrin Judd at February 8, 2017 5:26 AM