By CYD HAYNES
The large hall buzzed with quiet excitement. Families clutched their phones, ready to capture the moment, while 501 men and women of all ages sat anxiously, their hands folded in their laps. A ceremony was taking place at the Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, a place filled with history and significance. Among those gathered were three siblings — Daniel Lara, Itzel Lara Ambriz and Noah Lara — who had waited a long time for this moment. Today they would finally become U.S. citizens together.
“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen.”
As they repeated these words, each of them reflected on the journey that had brought them here. They were born in Mexico and arrived in the United States in 2004, when the youngest, Itzel, was just 2 years old. Growing up in Minnesota, they built their lives balancing their Mexican heritage with the opportunities and responsibilities of their new home. Twenty years later, as adults, they chose to pursue citizenship in the only country they had ever known, valuing the freedom, economic opportunities and safety it provided.
“That I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
The path to citizenship was filled with challenges. They had begun the official naturalization application process in October 2024, memorizing for the civics test and reviewing U.S. history and government, all with a determination to pass. The night before the test, they reviewed together the amendments to the Constitution and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Noah had been so nervous that he asked his aunt to quiz him while driving to the interview. When they all passed, their celebration was filled with both joy and relief.
Put to the Test
“Any immigrant applying for naturalization has to have a grounds for qualification based on having been a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) in the U.S. for at least five years,” says Dawn Holicky Pruitt, lawyer at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath.
Besides qualifying and demonstrating good moral character, applicants must pass an English reading and writing test, as well as a civics test to move on from the interview stage of the process, which includes 100 questions, then answer 6/10 questions correctly on the day of the interview. Minnesota applicants pass the test on their first attempt 90% of the time.
What kinds of questions must applicants answer correctly? Here are some examples. Can you answer them?
*Answers at the end of the article.
a) Who makes federal laws?
b) How many amendments does the Constitution have?
c) Name your U.S. representative.
d) If both the president and the vice president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
e) Name one power of the federal government.
f) What is the name of the speaker of the House of Representatives now?
g) Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
h) When was the Constitution written?
i) Who was president during World War I?
j) Name one responsibility that is only for U.S. citizens.
k) What is the deadline for submitting federal income forms?
l) The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
m) Name one U.S. territory.
n) What is the name of the national anthem?
“That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
However, their journey had not just been about legal status — it was about belonging. Daniel worked for a medical manufacturing company while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance. Itzel also worked in medical manufacturing and planned to begin college the following fall. Noah was a pharmacy technician, also finishing a bachelor’s degree. They had all found ways to contribute to the country that had given them so much.
One of the moments that stood out during the ceremony was when new citizens were recognized in groups of the 76 countries they had come from. “The judge pointed out that the United States is a country made up of immigrants,” Noah remembered. As they listened to the federal judge’s words, they felt a deep sense of pride in their journey.
“That I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”
Freedom. Responsibility. Security. These words carried profound meaning for the Lara siblings. Becoming U.S. citizens meant they could vote in future elections. “The right to vote really matters, because it’s my voice,” said Itzel. It also meant they no longer had to worry about changes in immigration policy affecting their status.
A line in the Oath of Allegiance resonated deeply with Daniel in particular: “That I will support and defend the Constitution and laws … against all enemies.” He knew that he was willing to fight for the United States, to fully defend the Constitution with the commitment he had made.
As the ceremony concluded, applause erupted. Daniel, Itzel and Noah turned to one another with knowing smiles. They had done this together, just as they had navigated every challenge before. Noah shared congratulations with the woman sitting next to him — a second ago, a complete stranger, now not so dissimilar. Around them, others celebrated, families embracing and new citizens wiping away tears of joy.
“Congratulations, citizens,” the officiant announced warmly.
The three siblings had taken an oath not just with words, but with their entire hearts. And now, they were ready to live it.
That’s Interesting
• The naturalization application process typically takes from several months to a year (after completing residency requirements of three to five years).
• By 2023, the foreign-born population in Minnesota had reached approximately 8.6% of the state’s total population.
• In the 1890s, while 15% of the U.S. population was foreign-born, Minnesota’s foreign-born population was notably higher, at 40%. Immigrants hailed primarily from Sweden, Norway and Germany.
• Post–Vietnam War, Minnesota welcomed refugees from Southeast Asia, notably from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
• As of 2018, immigrants from Mexico constituted 12% of the state’s immigrant population, while those from Somalia accounted for 8%.
• Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the United States.
• The Twin Cities area hosts the largest Hmong community in the world outside of Asia.
• Smaller immigrant communities in Minnesota include the largest group of Oromo — an ethnic group from Ethiopia — outside of that country; the secondlargest group of Tibetans in the U.S.; and a concentration of West African refugees from Liberia and Sierra Leone.
* Put to the Test — ANSWERS
a) Congress; b) 27; c) usa.gov/electedofficials; d) The Speaker of the House; e) print money, declare war, create an army, make treaties; f) Mike Johnson; g) Thomas Jefferson; h) 1787 i) Woodrow Wilson; j) serve on a jury, vote in a federal election; k) April 15 (typically); l) 435; m) Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam; n) The Star-Spangled Banner
