NEWS

97 become naturalized citizens at Indianapolis ceremony

Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Nearly 40 countries were represented with the most from Mexico (15) followed by India (13) and Burma (11).
Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Nearly 40 countries were represented with the most from Mexico (15) followed by India (13) and Burma (11).
Charlie Nye / The Star
Ismael Pena Sarmiento, 70, the oldest of 97 new American citizens naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, waits to have his documentation photo taken on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Sarmiento, from Venezuela, has lived in Carmel for 10 years.
Ismael Pena Sarmiento, 70, the oldest of 97 new American citizens naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, waits to have his documentation photo taken on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Sarmiento, from Venezuela, has lived in Carmel for 10 years.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Sisters Laura Deoliviera (left), 4, and Sophia Deoliviera, 3, Greenwood, came dressed in red, white and blue to the naturalization ceremony for 97 new American citizens naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Sisters Laura Deoliviera (left), 4, and Sophia Deoliviera, 3, Greenwood, came dressed in red, white and blue to the naturalization ceremony for 97 new American citizens naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Shang Song (left), 33, Indianapolis, originally from China, and Marcos Aranda, 27, from Mexico, also living in Indianapolis, are among the 97 new American citizens naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Shang Song (left), 33, Indianapolis, originally from China, and Marcos Aranda, 27, from Mexico, also living in Indianapolis, are among the 97 new American citizens naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Cecelia Alvarez-Heard, 40, Zionsville, originally from Mexico, is among 97 new American citizens naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Alvarez-Heard is founder and president of Amigos of Mexicans in Indiana Generating OpportunitieS (AMIGOS). She has lived here for 13 years.
Cecelia Alvarez-Heard, 40, Zionsville, originally from Mexico, is among 97 new American citizens naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Alvarez-Heard is founder and president of Amigos of Mexicans in Indiana Generating OpportunitieS (AMIGOS). She has lived here for 13 years.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Omar Abeed, 25, waves a flag pinwheel he received as he, his brother Abdullah Abeed (left), 18, and their father Mohmmad Lafta, 54, all from Iraq, became new American citizens on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Ninety-seven people were naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis.
Omar Abeed, 25, waves a flag pinwheel he received as he, his brother Abdullah Abeed (left), 18, and their father Mohmmad Lafta, 54, all from Iraq, became new American citizens on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Ninety-seven people were naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Shang Song, 33, Indianapolis, originally from China, receives a small American flag as he and 96 others became American citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Shang Song, 33, Indianapolis, originally from China, receives a small American flag as he and 96 others became American citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
One of the 97 new American citizens raises his hand as they cite their oath of allegiance to the United States during the summer naturalization ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
One of the 97 new American citizens raises his hand as they cite their oath of allegiance to the United States during the summer naturalization ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
United State Federal Judge Sarah Evans Barker presided over the naturalization of 97 new American citizens during a ceremony on the lawn of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
United State Federal Judge Sarah Evans Barker presided over the naturalization of 97 new American citizens during a ceremony on the lawn of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
United Kingdom native James Gillespie, 52, North Vernon, receives a small American flag as he and 96 others became American citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
United Kingdom native James Gillespie, 52, North Vernon, receives a small American flag as he and 96 others became American citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Nearly 40 countries were represented with the most from Mexico (15) followed by India (13) and Burma (11).
Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Nearly 40 countries were represented with the most from Mexico (15) followed by India (13) and Burma (11).
Charlie Nye / The Star
Ismael Pena Sarmiento, 70, the oldest of 97 new American citizens naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, waves two flags he was given, one by his grandson, Nicholas Pena (right), on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Sarmiento, from Venezuela, has lived in Carmel for 10 years.
Ismael Pena Sarmiento, 70, the oldest of 97 new American citizens naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, waves two flags he was given, one by his grandson, Nicholas Pena (right), on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Sarmiento, from Venezuela, has lived in Carmel for 10 years.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Jesus Tafoya, 41, who came from Mexico 23 years ago, holds an American flag as he and 96 others became American citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Jesus Tafoya, 41, who came from Mexico 23 years ago, holds an American flag as he and 96 others became American citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Maricelle Gonzalez (center), from the Philippines, holds her daughter Ava Sofia's hand as the terre Haute resident and 96 others became naturalized citizens during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015,
Maricelle Gonzalez (center), from the Philippines, holds her daughter Ava Sofia's hand as the terre Haute resident and 96 others became naturalized citizens during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015,
Charlie Nye / The Star
Children wait to hand out small American flags to 97 new American citizens during the summer naturalization ceremony under a tent on the lawn of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Children wait to hand out small American flags to 97 new American citizens during the summer naturalization ceremony under a tent on the lawn of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Jesus Tafoya (left), 41, who came from Mexico 23 years ago, and 96 other new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Jesus Tafoya (left), 41, who came from Mexico 23 years ago, and 96 other new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Kimball Harrison Morsman, Bryn Mahr, Pa., a great-great-grandson of President Benjamin Harrison, addresses the 97 new American citizens naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Kimball Harrison Morsman, Bryn Mahr, Pa., a great-great-grandson of President Benjamin Harrison, addresses the 97 new American citizens naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
One of 97 new American citizens receives a small American flag during a naturalization ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
One of 97 new American citizens receives a small American flag during a naturalization ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Jesus Tafoya (foreground, left), 41, who came from Mexico 23 years ago, and 96 other new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Jesus Tafoya (foreground, left), 41, who came from Mexico 23 years ago, and 96 other new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Yelena Koshchiy (right), 22, Evansville, who came from the Ukraine about 12 years ago, waits for her official paperwork after she and 96 others became naturalized American citizens during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Yelena Koshchiy (right), 22, Evansville, who came from the Ukraine about 12 years ago, waits for her official paperwork after she and 96 others became naturalized American citizens during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Ila Patel, originally from India but now living in Greenwood, has her documentation photo taken as her family (right) waits on the lawn after she and 96 others became naturalized American citizens during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Ila Patel, originally from India but now living in Greenwood, has her documentation photo taken as her family (right) waits on the lawn after she and 96 others became naturalized American citizens during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard hands a certificate to Maricelle Gonzalez, from the Philippines, one of 97 new people naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. At right is IU Music professor Sylvia McNair, who sang the closing song.
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard hands a certificate to Maricelle Gonzalez, from the Philippines, one of 97 new people naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. At right is IU Music professor Sylvia McNair, who sang the closing song.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Nearly 40 countries were represented with the most from Mexico (15) followed by India (13) and Burma (11).
Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Nearly 40 countries were represented with the most from Mexico (15) followed by India (13) and Burma (11).
Charlie Nye / The Star
Omar Abeed, 25, left, gets a gulag and a handshake as he and his father, Mohmmad Lafta (right), 54, and Omar's brother Abdullah Abeed (not shown), 18, all from Iraq, became new American citizens on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Ninety-seven people were naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis.
Omar Abeed, 25, left, gets a gulag and a handshake as he and his father, Mohmmad Lafta (right), 54, and Omar's brother Abdullah Abeed (not shown), 18, all from Iraq, became new American citizens on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Ninety-seven people were naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis.
Charlie Nye / The Star
Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Nearly 40 countries were represented with the most from Mexico (15) followed by India (13) and Burma (11).
Ninety-seven new American citizens are naturalized during a ceremony at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Nearly 40 countries were represented with the most from Mexico (15) followed by India (13) and Burma (11).
Charlie Nye / The Star