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Laura Ingraham Welcomes New US Citizen (VIDEO)

June 16th, 2008 at 06:49 by MsUnderestimated

On Fox News‘ “Just In” today, Laura Ingraham welcomed a new U.S. Citizen to our country. For the first time ever, the naturalization ceremony was held at Arlington National Cemetery, presided over by Federal District Judge, T.S. Ellis. Seventy new U.S. Citizens were welcomed, including one Moroccan emigrant, Amina Thomas. Asked how she felt about becoming U.S. Citizen, Amina said it was a “dream come true.” Laura then asked her why she loved America, and I could only wonder to myself “why don’t more Americans feel this joy?”

From the WaPo piece:

“This is truly a wonderful day,” said Ellis, his voice cracking, as he gave an emotional tribute to the virtues of citizenship, U.S. history and the warriors buried around him. Speaking in a white-columned amphitheater dating to 1864, in front of a stone marker bearing the Latin phrase “e pluribus unum” from the Great Seal of the United States, he told the immigrants and their families: “It is a wonderful day for each of you, because today you will join the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

The judge’s passion flowed from his past. Ellis, 68, is also an immigrant, born in Bogota, Colombia. For years, he has presided over naturalization ceremonies on the third Thursday of each month at the U.S. courthouse in Alexandria. As he approaches retirement, he decided to try a different, more meaningful setting, court officials said.

“I did it to honor our country’s warriors and to give the new citizens a sense for what makes this country great,” Ellis said. The judge, known for his thorough legal opinions and an occasionally irascible demeanor, said he “didn’t want any politicians” attending the ceremony. After the immigrants took their oath, Ellis greeted each one personally, choking up as he hugged a new citizen wearing a U.S. Navy uniform.

He then told a woman from Iraq that he was “honored that you chose to be an American.”

Watch Laura’s interview with one of our newest fellow Americans, Amina Thomas, here.

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