Region's newest class of citizens is largest ever

By Joanne Kimberlin

The Virginian-Pilot

NORFOLK

They rose to their feet as the names of their native lands rang out - 446 men and women from 90 different countries, all glancing around Chrysler Hall to see who shared their roots.

Albania... Argentina... Armenia... Austria... Antigua and Barbuda... Bahamas...

Monday's crowd was the largest batch of new citizens ever sworn in in Hampton Roads - so many that the naturalization ceremony had to be moved from the nearby courthouse.

Barbados... Belarus... Belize... Bolivia... Bosnia-Herzegovina... Brazil...

Typical turnout for such ceremonies, held monthly in Norfolk, tops out at 150. The size of this crowd has been influenced by looming fee hikes. That, and the presidential election.

British Virgin Islands... Bulgaria... Cambodia... Cameroon... Canada... Cape Verde...

"I'll be able to vote!" said Jeanette Cavaliere, 42, a native of the Philippines and a resident of Virginia Beach. "This election is a historic moment for the country and I'm so excited to be part of it."

Columbia... Congo... Cuba... Cyprus... Czech Republic... Dominican Republic...

Cavaliere has lived in America for nine years and is married to a fellow from Italy, also a naturalized citizen. She works at a bank call center in Chesapeake. "At work, so many say, 'I've never voted,' " Cavaliere said. "I don't understand that."

Ecuador... Egypt... El Salvador... Ethiopia... France... Germany...

Cavaliere came to the United States to make money. "My mother had cancer, and I had to help my family. But both of my parents passed away before this day. I brought a photo of them with me. I know they would be proud."

Ghana... Greece... Grenada... Guatemala... Guyana... Haiti...

Surrounded by hundreds of others with their own immigrant stories, Cavaliere raised her right hand. A mosaic of accents fused into one and swelled to the rafters: "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and adjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen..."

Honduras... India... Iran... Iraq... Ireland... Israel...

"That I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law..."

Italy... Ivory Coast... Jamaica... Japan... Jordan... Kenya...

"That I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by law..."

Laos... Latvia... Lebanon... Liberia... Lithuania... Malaysia...

"And that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, so help me God."

Mexico... Moldova... Morocco... Netherlands... New Zealand... Nigeria...

Cavaliere won't forget where she came from. "That is the core of your being. But you have no say in what you were born. When you choose something, it feels very different."

Pakistan... Panama... People's Republic of China... Peru... Philippines... Poland...

From up on the stage, a federal judge told the new Americans that they now stood "shoulder to shoulder" with their countrymen - most of whose ancestors were once come-heres themselves. "We are all a composite of our past, our present and our future," said Judge Rebecca Beach Smith, "and you are the future of the United States."

Portugal... Romania... Russia... Scotland... Sierra Leone... Slovakia...

Then the judge offered some advice, "Each of you are now on free soil. Your children and your grandchildren will grow and prosper on free soil... Vote. Guard yourself against many of the things you have left behind."

South Africa... South Korea... Spain... St. Kitts-Nevis... St. Lucia... Sudan...

The auditorium erupted into cheers and flag waving. Everyone was armed with a small Old Glory, courtesy of immigration officers in the lobby. Each road to this place had been long, with years spent waiting for the required time to pass. Next came mounds of paperwork, an interview and tests on their command of English, their knowledge of U. S. history and government.

Syria... Taiwan... Thailand... Togo... Trinidad and Tobago... Turkey...

Clutching her certificate of citizenship, Cavaliere headed straight for a table set up to register voters. "People have asked me why I want this so much," she said. "They talk about the economy being bad and the status of the U.S. not being what it once was. I tell them, 'It's America. All things are possible.' "

Turkmenistan... Ukraine... United Kingdom... Venezuela... Vietnam... Yugoslavia

For months, Cavaliere said, she's been practicing "The Star-Spangled Banner," singing in her car. Now:

"Excuse me if I cry, will you?"