AMHERST — As a single mother of five living in the United States for 24 years, Fathima Shaifdeen has long wanted to become a U.S. citizen, but had that opportunity delayed by five years when she returned to Sri Lanka to care for her ailing mother.

Tuesday afternoon, though, Shaifdeen could finally celebrate with two of her children, Amaniyah and Ikraam, after joining 229 other immigrants in taking the oath of allegiance.

“I am so happy,” Shaifdeen said as she held a small American flag and flowers and posed for portraits outside Bowker Auditorium on the University of Massachusetts campus.

“She’s been waiting for this for all of her life,” Amaniyah said.

Originally from Nigeria, Unoma Oforah of Springfield expressed gratitude that she could leave her home country and be adopted by the United States.

“It’s a long journey,” said Oforah, accompanied by her children Chizoba Jr. amd Chisom. “For me to join the United States officially, this is the most wonderful date for me, a date I will always remember.”

Shaifeeen and Oforah were among immigrants from 69 countries, living in 52 communities throughout the region, who were part of the naturalization ceremony in which the oath was administered by U.S. District Court Clerk Tamara Figueroa. Each had been duly examined and found well qualified for U.S. citizenship.

U.S. District Court Judge Katherine A. Robertson welcomed the new citizens. Robertson said they will enrich and strengthen democracy, adding that the country wouldn’t be what it is without them.

“You are now American citizens,” Robertson said. “Today we’re celebrating the choice you have made and the commitment to this country.”

Following the administration of the oath, part of a campuswide program titled “Immigration, Citizenship and Belonging: Two Days of Discussion, Debate and Celebration,” Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, himself an immigrant, offered reflections on his experience. Flying to Bloomington, Indiana in 1971, the first time he had been on a plane, he became so scared once at Indiana University that he didn’t leave his dorm room for two days, and hoped each time he woke up he’d be back in India.

“The rest, as they say, is really history,” Subbaswamy said as he teared up about becoming a citizen 13 years later in Kentucky.

“I’ve immensely benefited and enjoyed being a citizen of the United States,” Subbaswamy said, elaborating that he appreciates the freedom of speech and academic freedom offered — and that even with a deeply divided and polarized country, and economic and social unrest, that new citizens can help make the country one worthy of its ideals.

UMass President Marty Meehan also addressed the new citizens. “Rest assured, we are a nation of immigrants,” Meehan said. “We need each one of you.”

The keynote address was given by U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, who called those in the audience an inspiration. “We are proud you have chosen to join us as citizens,” McGovern said.

Americans are bound together by justice, democracy, equality and liberty, McGovern said, referencing the legacy of John Lewis, the late congressman and civil rights icon who participated in the Bloody Sunday action in Selma, Alabama in 1965, seen as a turning point in the movement. McGovern said citizenship sometimes requires people to speak out and stand up, or make “good trouble,” as Lewis called it.

“Today, I’m asking you to make good trouble,” McGovern said, calling for people to dissent when values are being undermined. “Citizenship is not a status, it’s a job.”

Be participants, be involved and even run or elective office, he urged.

“Though I hope none of you run against me,” McGovern said.

He also used the opportunity to reference former President Donald Trump, facing a Manhattan grand jury indictments Tuesday, adding that no one is too powerful to be held accountable and that everyone is equal under the law, garnering applause from the new citizens.

The event concluded with a recorded greeting from President Joe Biden welcoming the new citizens and a rendition of the national anthem.

With one of her two children snapping photographs of her holding an American flag, Kaye Carmelo of Worcester said she spent six months preparing to become a citizen. The civics tests were the hardest part for her, she said, as she already spoke English from being a native of the Philippines. Going through the ceremony means she can fully practice American values.

“It means to be loyal to the United States and to be a good citizen,” Carmelo said.

As she had a family portrait taken with her husband, Pavel, and their three children, Elliana, Samuel and Emilie, all of whom are citizens, Olena Derevyanchuk of Agawam was grateful to become a citizen 10 years after arriving from Ukraine.

“It’s very interesting,” Derevyanchuk said. “This is the first time in my life to be in this kind of building and to be in this kind of ceremony.”

Sukru Senveli of Westborough noted his immigration process started when Trump was president. He came from Turkey to get an education and his doctorate, and is now employed in cutting-edge engineering work.

“It’s been a long and arduous process, but I’m very happy now,” Senveli said.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>