On June 29 Bryce Canyon National Park hosted a naturalization ceremony on the canyon rim in partnership with U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Together they welcomed 20 people from 10 different countries as new voters, community members, stewards, friends and U.S. citizens. The ceremony was a strong reminder of the freedoms American citizens enjoy and the love all can share for the United States of America.
Stories from All Over the World Brought to Bryce Canyon
The naturalization ceremony took place between Sunrise and Sunset Points inside the park. As part of the park’s centennial story, they also welcomed the stories these new citizens brought with them to Bryce Canyon.
“Bryce Canyon inspires millions of visitors each year with its towering spires and chromatic landscape,” remarked acting superintendent Allana Olbrich. “And now we need you, our soon to be citizens, to be part of our story and to help build our future. Your stories of sacrifice, aspiration, and courage are weaved into the tapestry of the American experience. We honor these stories and welcome you as the next stewards, advocates, and caretakers of these special places. Help us preserve and protect Bryce Canyon for the next 100 years.”
Between celebrating Bryce Canyon’s centennial and welcoming new U.S. citizens, “This day has ‘special’ written all over it, and for good reason,” said U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin B. Pead, who administered the ceremony.
As he looked out over the “other-worldly” view of the canyon, the judge hoped that the audience could take a few lessons from Bryce Canyon and its history about engaging in politics. When our country is faced with difficult problems, “I hope we go searching for the cow in the slot canyons,” just like Ebenezer Bryce did, he said.
Freedom of Being An American Citizen
Representative Chris Stewart also attended the ceremony as the guest speaker. He told stories of meeting people from all over the world, whose countries do not treat them like a country should treat its citizens, a story many of the immigrants knew all too well.
“Whether we like it or not, the United States of America is an example. It is a light to the world. You are evidence of that,” he told the new U.S. citizens. “We’ve been given that great blessing [of freedom]. I don’t think we appreciate it very often. I think you do.”
Most striking of the remarks of the day were those of the new citizens themselves. As Bryce Canyon had honored their stories, they truly inspired us with their journeys to get to this day.
One man told his story of never really having a place to belong. On this day, he almost couldn’t believe that “after 32 years, I have a right to say what I think? A religion? Am I free actually? Do I have a country I am proud of? That I can say I am American?” he asked himself. “Thank you. I wish I had a better word for that.”
A woman named Priscilla, who was from Mexico, told the group, “I want to use this as my public moment to say that I love America. I can’t believe I’m here.” She described her respect for the U.S. Constitution. “It’s so well planned. It’s not man made. It’s God made,” she said.
The naturalization ceremony was a special conclusion to these immigrants’ journey, and a reminder to all of what it means to have citizenship in the United States.
– The Byway
Feature image courtesy NPS.