US naturalizes 15 sailors in Subic
SUBIC BAY - The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalized 15 sailors onboard US Navy ships deployed from Japan. The 15 new US citizens hail from China, Ethiopia, Great Britain, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, and the Philippines. Since 2009, they are the first sailors to become naturalized US citizens while serving in the Philippines. Before the sailors could recite the Oath of Allegiance, they had to meet naturalization requirements, such as passing the naturalization test administered by USCIS Overseas Adjudications Officer Cozettee Rousell-Barron. According to the website of the USCIS, the first ceremony, for five sailors, was conducted on the deck of the ship USS Denver on October 13. The second ceremony, for 10 sailors, was conducted the next day in the forecastle of the assault ship USS Essex. Those who presided over the ceremonies were: