The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana held a naturalization ceremony in which 17 petitioners became United States citizens. The Honorable Brandon S. Long, U.S. District Judge, presided over the September 4 ceremony. He welcomed and congratulated the petitioners and invited everyone to stand for the playing of the National Anthem by the Marine Forces Reserve Band and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, led by representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Judge Long then invited immigration attorney Megan Jackler to provide remarks. She congratulated the new citizens and said earning their citizenship proved they already possessed the most American of qualities: hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice. Jackler asked the new citizens to reflect on the final words of the Pledge of Allegiance they just recited, “with liberty and justice for all,” and celebrate the fact those words now include them.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Liz Chickering then issued the statement of petitioners’ eligibility for citizenship and presented petitioners’ requests for name change. After granting the requests for name change, Judge Long invited the petitioners to announce their names and countries of origin before he administered the Oath of Allegiance. Petitioners were then given their certificates and took pictures with Judge Long and their families.