Congressman Stewart welcomes America’s newest citizens at Bryce Canyon naturalization ceremony

Written by Stephanie DeGraw
July 2, 2023

ST. GEORGE — One of America’s most striking landscapes set the scene as immigration agents welcomed the country’s newest citizens with a naturalization ceremony along the rim of Bryce Canyon National Park on Thursday.

A family celebrates at Bryce Canyon National Park at the naturalization ceremony, Bryce, Utah, June 29, 2023 | Photo courtesy of the National Park Service, St. George News

The park was celebrating its 100th year and partnered with U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services for the event. Acting Superintendent of the park, Allana Olbrich, stood on the rim of the Bryce Canyon Amphitheater and addressed those gaining citizenship, their friends and families.

“Bryce Canyon inspires millions of visitors each year with its towering spires and chromatic landscape,” Olbrich said. “And now we need you, our soon-to-be citizens, to be part of our story and to help build our future. Your stories of sacrifice, aspiration, and courage are woven into the tapestry of the American experience. We honor these stories and welcome you as the next stewards, advocates, and caretakers of these special places. Help us preserve and protect Bryce Canyon for the next 100 years.”

The ceremony marks the conclusion of the immigrant’s journey to citizenship and honors their commitment. Thursday’s ceremony and Oath of Allegiance were administered by U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin B. Pead and featured remarks by U.S. Congressman Chris Stewart.

Stewart spoke of his travels worldwide while in office. He said the United States of America is an example, “a light to the world” concerning freedom. He told the immigrants that millions would want to sit in their seats today.

“Millions of people around the world would trade you places in a heartbeat if they could,” Stewart said. “Or they would trade their children and give them this opportunity if they could.”

Steward shared that while he was on the Syrian border once, he was allowed to speak to a man who had been disfigured. The man said he had been a butcher and had stayed quiet to protect his family. But the man said he was talking to his neighbor one day, and said, “I hope that one day we can live under freedom. And that’s all it took.”

A family poses with U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin B. Pead during the naturalization ceremony at Bryce Canyon National Park, Bryce, Utah, June 29, 2023 | Photo courtesy of the National Park Service, St. George News

Stewart said the man’s neighbor reported him, and the soldiers came to his house the next day. The soldiers took one of his knives that he used as a butcher, sliced up his face, broke all the bones in his face, and then took him to a torture camp.

“And the soldiers took the man’s older daughters. Why? Because he said, ‘I hope one day I can live under freedom,’” Steward said. “We’ve been given that great blessing. I don’t think we appreciate it very often.”

The U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services Salt Lake City Field Office Director, Michael Crabtree, remarked on the location of the ceremony.

“There couldn’t be a more beautiful location to welcome new U.S. citizens before Independence Day than Bryce Canyon National Park,” Crabtree said. “We are grateful for our long partnership with the National Park Service because naturalization ceremonies at national parks connect new citizens with the history, culture and natural beauty of their new nation.”

According to a news release, the new U.S. citizens hailed from 12 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, the Czech Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Samoa, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

One of the immigrants, Isabel from Brazil, said she originally came to the U.S. to learn English for six months and was planning to leave. But the longer she stayed, the more she grew to love the country. She said it was the people who made her feel welcome. She has since met her husband and started a family in America.

“The people from here are amazing,” she said. “I just want to say congratulations to everyone that is here. I know everyone went through a lot because we all do as immigrants. And I wanted to say that I’m really thankful for the people in the U.S.”

Also, during the ceremony, Kate Ryman representing the League of Women’s Voters encouraged participants to register to vote. The League of Women Voters is a nonprofit grassroots organization that helps ensure everyone fully participates in American democracy.

“We’ve been helping people exercise their right to vote for over 100 years. We do registration and voter registration drives all over the country. And we were especially honored to be part of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremonies and be in this amazing space today,” Ryman said.

The National Park Service has partnered with U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services to host citizenship ceremonies in America’s national parks since 2006. Some parks that have held these events include Zion National Park, Yosemite National Park, Channel Islands National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and National Mall and Memorial Parks.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephanie DeGraw is an award-winning journalist. For 25 years, she engaged in journalism, broadcasting and public relations. DeGraw worked for the Salt Lake Tribune, Associated Press and The City Journals. She was a reporter for a CBS television station in Twin Falls, Idaho. She graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Broadcasting.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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