Becoming An American ‘Has Been My Dream’
One long, winding line wove through Brooklyn Center’s Heritage Center on Monday morning. That wait was just a small part of these peoples’ paths to citizenship.
Like many of his fellow new citizens, Cyrus Wehyee’s been working at that for five years. Wehyee is one of 38 from Liberia to participate in Monday morning’s ceremony.
“This has been my wish, and has been my dream,” Wehyee said.
Wehyee said his wife and child are both citizens. Now, he joins them. He said he’s excited for the right to vote.
“That is the will of God, that today I’m going to become a citizen of the United States,” said Wehyee, who lives in Maple Grove.
Wehyee is one of 503 new citizens from 87 countries naturalized Monday morning. Another batch also went through the ceremony Monday afternoon.
Cyrus Wehyee is one of many new citizens naturalized in February. He wore a new American flag proudly.
Stacey Barber, the Heritage Center’s sales manager, said the center is now holding nine ceremonies a year, often with more than 1,000 people in attendance. It has grown in popularity since being revived in 2023.
“It’s amazing just to be a part of this. To be here, to represent what America could be for these families. Especially for women,” Barber said.
Barber said the ceremony is a powerful experience. Attendees, both new citizens and their loved ones, listened to a performance of the Star Spangled Banner and took an Oath of Allegiance. The League of Women Voters was also present to help new citizens register to vote.
“I was extremely moved. It was emotional. The people themselves are happy. They are excited, they want to be here,” Barber said. “And they’ve left possibly not-so-great circumstances to start over in this country.”
Another family naturalized was Simonett and Paul Waisman, who come from Venezuela. They, along with their three young daughters Malka, Shoshi and Livi, attended Monday morning.
“I didn’t go to school today, because I had this!” Malka said excitedly.
Simonett said they came to Minnesota to join one of their family members who became a citizen years prior. The Waismans’ citizenship was also five years in the making.
“It’s just been hard to wait because we humans can be impatient,” Simonett Waisman said. “But compared to where we come from, everything has worked beautifully.”
The wait was worth it on Monday as the Waismans took the oath with their girls. The family now lives in Bloomington.
“It feels unreal,” Simonett said. “Amazing,” added Paul.
“It’s something we’ve been dreaming for awhile,” Simonett said.
The Waisman family, originally from Venezuela, was excited to celebrate their parents and oldest daughter’s new citizenship.
The Heritage Center held a second ceremony on Monday afternoon. That one welcomed 501 new citizens from 76 countries.
