Tension and relief were on display at the Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston on Wednesday as 81 people from 34 countries became new U.S. citizens — just days after some would-be citizens were reportedly turned away from a similar ceremony at Boston’s Faneuil Hall.
The Trump administration’s temporary pause on immigration applications left many naturalization candidates fearing their long-awaited moment might be interrupted.
“Today is a very special day,” said Ederlei Pereira, a new American citizen from Brazil. “This is my dream.”
Many feared that dream would turn into a nightmare.
“I think I was – yesterday – really nervous to arrive here and then have this canceled,” said Sara Vidal, a newly-sworn-in citizen from Colombia.
Immigrant advocates from the MIRA Coalition attended the ceremony to reassure participants and monitor the situation.
“We want to make sure that they get all the support that they need to navigate the situation,” said organizer Viviana Contente.
One woman, who asked to remain anonymous despite becoming a citizen herself, said she witnessed last Thursday’s incident at Faneuil Hall.
“When you’re approaching to the finish line to get that certification, you’re not allowed to do that, [that] is not humane to do,” she said.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has been issuing notices reevaluating pending and approved applications from people living in the 19 countries listed in the current travel ban. The agency cited national security concerns following the attack on two National Guard members in Washington last month.
For many, citizenship symbolizes protection and empowerment.
“I can do things, I can make decisions that I couldn’t make before,” said Atechia Clarke of Jamaica.
For some families, it marks the end of a decades-long journey.
“We’re free,” said Raquel Pereira, whose husband Ederlei can now travel without fear of being detained. “Now he can go back and forth without having a problem with immigration, thinking about getting arrested.”
After 25 years in the process, Ederlei celebrated his milestone with simple joy.
“[I’m] very happy, very happy,” he said in Portuguese.
Those who have been impacted by the Department of Homeland Security’s directive wonder how long their case will be delayed.
The agency is considering expanding the travel ban to 30-plus countries. It hasn’t named which ones or when the policy would go into effect.
