Obama Welcomes New U.S. Citizens at Naturalization Ceremony

President Obama makes a call for immigration reform at a White House naturalization ceremony that creates 28 new U.S. citizens.

Under the glittering chandeliers of the White House East Room (shown above), President Obama personally welcomed 28 new U.S. citizens after their naturalization ceremony March 25.

The president used the occasion to call for “comprehensive” and “sensible” immigration reform. He said Congress was taking “some real action” toward immigration reform and that he expected new legislation to be formulated soon. “I want to sign that bill into law as soon as possible,” he said.

The president took special note of the active-duty service members who had become U.S. citizens. “Every member of the military with us has shown incredible patriotism, a willingness to risk their lives in defense of a nation that was not yet their own. And that’s a remarkable act,” Obama said.

“What makes somebody American isn’t just their bloodlines, it’s not just an accident of birth,” Obama said. “It’s a fidelity to our founding principles, a faith in the idea that anyone, anywhere, can write the next great chapter in this American story.”