WEBVTT 00:21.430 --> 00:30.470 We're. To nhs yes. 00:43.470 --> 00:47.080 Well. 01:02.860 --> 01:34.450 The Distinguished guests good morning. Today is a special day 01:34.680 --> 01:36.630 and I am very honored to be here with you. 01:37.410 --> 01:40.930 My name is on my Yorkers and I have the privilege of serving 01:41.260 --> 01:44.990 as the director of the U.S. citizenship and immigration services 01:45.290 --> 01:49.560 the agency that administers our nation's immigration benefits. 01:55.140 --> 01:56.110 Thank you mister president. 01:59.780 --> 02:04.150 I myself am a naturalized citizen having arrived in this country 02:04.160 --> 02:05.830 as a refugee from cuba. 02:06.660 --> 02:10.680 Performing are twenty eight individuals who have chosen the United 02:10.690 --> 02:13.130 States as their adoptive country. 02:13.730 --> 02:17.800 They have decided to take the important step of becoming United 02:17.810 --> 02:19.190 States citizens. 02:19.720 --> 02:24.540 Among them thirteen members of our armed forces representing 02:24.570 --> 02:29.080 all four branches of the military their commitment and dedication 02:29.090 --> 02:33.960 to this country should serve as an inspiration to all americans. 02:34.580 --> 02:38.180 Candidates for naturalization when I call your country of current 02:38.180 --> 02:41.840 nationality please stand and remain standing. 02:42.970 --> 02:56.210 Afghanistan. American samoa. Bahamas. Bangladesh. Bolivia. Canada. China. 02:56.940 --> 02:59.740 Colombia. Dominican republic. 03:00.310 --> 03:08.620 El Salvador. Ethiopia. Germany. India. Italy. Jamaica. 03:09.480 --> 03:13.000 Mexico. Morocco Nicaragua. 03:13.570 --> 03:16.400 Nigeria. Republic of pull out. 03:17.130 --> 03:21.090 Through. Philippines south africa. 03:21.670 --> 03:22.530 South korea. 03:23.310 --> 03:24.230 Since evolution. 03:24.920 --> 03:29.560 Ukraine. If I did not call your country of current nationality 03:29.870 --> 03:30.870 please stand. 03:31.870 --> 03:35.710 Now I would like to invite the secretary of homeland security 03:35.820 --> 03:40.540 janet Napolitano to the podium to administer the oath of allegiance 03:40.880 --> 03:44.350 Madam secretary are present to you twenty eight candidates for 03:44.360 --> 03:47.840 naturalization all of whom have been interviewed by an officer 03:47.840 --> 03:51.350 of the service and found to be eligible for naturalization. 03:51.690 --> 03:56.360 Please administer the oath of allegiance thereby them to United 03:56.390 --> 03:57.720 States citizenship. 04:01.080 --> 04:05.250 Candidates please raise your right hand and repeat after me. 04:06.340 --> 04:08.630 I hereby declare on oath. 04:11.140 --> 04:12.760 That I absolutely. 04:14.070 --> 04:15.130 And entirely. 04:16.570 --> 04:17.130 Now and 04:19.350 --> 04:21.430 All allegiance and fidelity. 04:23.570 --> 04:25.230 To any foreign prince. 04:26.790 --> 04:27.640 Probably say. 04:28.910 --> 04:30.300 State or sovereignty. 04:32.040 --> 04:33.280 Of whom which. 04:34.400 --> 04:36.110 I have heretofore been. 04:38.000 --> 04:39.630 A subject or citizen. 04:41.690 --> 04:43.500 That I will support and defend. 04:45.590 --> 04:49.760 The constitution and laws of the United States of america. 04:53.540 --> 04:55.020 Against all enemies. 04:56.510 --> 04:57.550 Foreign and domestic. 04:59.100 --> 05:00.660 That I will bear true faith. 05:02.170 --> 05:03.620 And allegiance to the same. 05:05.330 --> 05:07.030 That I will there are ads. 05:08.180 --> 05:10.290 On behalf of the United States. 05:11.850 --> 05:13.190 When required by law. 05:15.060 --> 05:18.240 That I will perform nine combatant service. 05:20.710 --> 05:23.120 In the armed forces of the United States. 05:25.190 --> 05:26.590 When required by law. 05:28.410 --> 05:32.050 That I will perform work of national importance. 05:34.930 --> 05:36.560 Under civilian direction. 05:38.200 --> 05:39.850 When required by law. 05:41.580 --> 05:43.670 That I take this obligation freely. 05:46.190 --> 05:47.980 Without any mental reservation. 05:50.250 --> 05:54.430 Or purpose of evasion. Only. 05:56.130 --> 06:22.850 Gradually. It's one of the great privileges of my car position 06:22.860 --> 06:28.150 to be the first person to address you as my fellow citizens is 06:28.190 --> 06:29.730 yes it's a great day. 06:30.310 --> 06:33.510 By becoming citizens today. You demonstrated your commitment 06:33.520 --> 06:37.450 to this country your country and we honor this achievement. 06:38.040 --> 06:41.400 Throughout our history people from across the world come to the 06:41.420 --> 06:46.250 United States seeking freedom and new opportunities for themselves 06:46.260 --> 06:50.890 and for their families. We are after all a nation of immigrants. 06:51.730 --> 06:55.980 Each of you has your own individual story to tell you have followed 06:55.990 --> 07:00.900 your own unique have to get here today and now United States 07:00.910 --> 07:05.290 citizens you have earn the rights and freedoms that our constitution 07:05.340 --> 07:10.140 guarantees as well as the responsibilities that citizenship brands 07:10.370 --> 07:14.810 to contribute to the strength and vitality of our communities 07:14.860 --> 07:15.740 and our nation. 07:16.330 --> 07:20.360 And is also important that the to recognize that these rights 07:20.400 --> 07:24.930 and responsibilities have not come without a price. I would like 07:24.940 --> 07:30.000 to recognize our newest citizens who are also members of our military. 07:43.900 --> 07:47.250 Since the founding of the United States servicemen and women 07:47.290 --> 07:51.510 like some of you have made countless sacrifices to preserve the 07:51.520 --> 07:56.750 ideals of this great country reports she your American citizenship. 07:57.150 --> 08:02.030 So our nation. Thank you for your service. So again congratulations 08:02.040 --> 08:05.590 to all of our new citizens and on your achievement today. 08:05.890 --> 08:08.710 We are proud to call you are fellow citizens. 08:11.180 --> 08:12.080 The very 08:14.880 --> 08:19.180 And now it's my distinct honor and privilege to introduce the 08:19.190 --> 08:23.050 president of the United States. Iraq obama mister president. 08:33.240 --> 08:34.220 Good morning everybody. 08:35.940 --> 08:39.540 Sector in nepal cloud. Thank you for administering the oath and 08:39.540 --> 08:40.440 making it official. 08:41.110 --> 08:46.260 Director because distinguished guests family and friends. 08:46.960 --> 08:50.330 It is a great pleasure to have you here at the white house and 08:50.340 --> 08:52.960 it is an honor to be among the first to. 08:53.990 --> 08:56.480 Some my fellow citizens of the United States. 08:57.420 --> 09:00.060 Today here in the people's house. 09:00.620 --> 09:02.840 To house designed by an irish. 09:03.970 --> 09:06.440 We welcome twenty eight men and women. 09:07.010 --> 09:11.210 Immigrants themselves who from this day forward had earned the 09:11.220 --> 09:12.010 precious right. 09:12.610 --> 09:14.300 To call this country home. 09:15.230 --> 09:19.200 And I know this is an incredibly special moment for you for your families. 09:19.970 --> 09:24.070 To say it's a special moment for the rest of us as well because 09:24.070 --> 09:25.900 as we look out across this room. 09:26.560 --> 09:30.100 We're reminded that what makes somebody American is just. 09:30.640 --> 09:34.250 There were long lines. It's not just an accident of birth. 09:34.960 --> 09:37.700 It's a fidelity to our founding principle. 09:38.880 --> 09:42.240 Faith. In the idea that anyone. 09:42.940 --> 09:46.290 Anywhere. Can write the next great chapter. 09:46.890 --> 09:48.110 In this American story. 09:48.940 --> 09:50.190 That's the promise of america. 09:50.800 --> 09:52.600 And today we know it's alive and well. 09:53.200 --> 09:54.220 Each and every one of you. 09:56.430 --> 09:59.350 At first glance of course of easy to find this group by their 09:59.360 --> 10:02.550 differences they all hail from different corners of the world 10:02.550 --> 10:03.820 from nigeria to make. 10:05.170 --> 10:06.640 The philippines to prove. 10:07.280 --> 10:10.710 They arrived here in different ways some of you came here as 10:10.730 --> 10:14.850 children carried by parents who wished for a life that they never had. 10:15.440 --> 10:17.380 Others came as adults leaving. 10:17.950 --> 10:21.120 Behind everything you knew to seek a new life. 10:22.020 --> 10:23.350 But what do together. 10:24.010 --> 10:27.360 What binds us all together is something more meaningful than anything. 10:29.240 --> 10:31.990 A love for this country and all that represents. 10:33.100 --> 10:34.930 That's what Unites each and every one. 10:36.560 --> 10:39.100 For the kid care change or. 10:40.400 --> 10:44.330 Is the key right here that love runs. So deep that to enlist 10:44.330 --> 10:45.110 in our military. 10:45.660 --> 10:48.290 And the kicking near the age of eleven from ukraine. 10:49.060 --> 10:52.610 His mother saw america as the one place on earth where the sun 10:52.620 --> 10:55.930 could do anything you wanted in a few years ago the to decided 10:55.930 --> 11:00.370 that he one to joint air force. So that in his words I can get 11:00.380 --> 11:02.280 back to a country that took me and gave me. 11:03.140 --> 11:03.830 Thank you nick. 11:04.500 --> 11:07.910 Today we probably salute and not just as a member of military 11:07.910 --> 11:10.030 but also as a citizen of our country. 11:11.050 --> 11:13.590 Today we salute the el reno. 11:14.580 --> 11:18.350 Where they'll remember there. She is a was born in south africa 11:18.390 --> 11:22.600 came here as a child grew up in washington state when el reno 11:22.620 --> 11:24.960 decide to join the navy somebody told her that she wouldn't be 11:25.090 --> 11:25.610 to cut. 11:26.300 --> 11:31.140 But even though she was the American on paper. She had that American 11:31.150 --> 11:31.870 quality of. 11:32.780 --> 11:35.670 Being defined when somebody says you can do something so she 11:35.700 --> 11:36.900 proved them wrong. 11:37.440 --> 11:38.970 She deployed twice. 11:40.230 --> 11:43.210 Not. The middle east wants to haiti. 11:44.020 --> 11:47.150 Showcasing another point essentially American imports and that's 11:47.160 --> 11:51.030 helping others in need and as a new service reno hopes to serve 11:51.170 --> 11:54.230 country in a new way as a police officer. So congratulations. 11:54.850 --> 12:00.400 Andrea. Arena the key that every member of the military with us. 12:01.560 --> 12:03.310 Have shown incredible patriotism. 12:04.210 --> 12:06.660 The willingness to risk their lives in defense of the nation 12:07.130 --> 12:10.970 that was not yet there are. And that's remarkable act and it 12:11.000 --> 12:12.180 made each of them. 12:15.180 --> 12:18.780 One of us made each of them in some ways American even before 12:18.790 --> 12:19.270 was fish. 12:20.060 --> 12:23.570 Because that kind of service and sacrifice has defined our nation 12:23.570 --> 12:24.840 for more than two centuries. 12:26.190 --> 12:30.150 In america we look out for one another we see citizenship not 12:30.160 --> 12:33.870 just as a collection of rights. But also set of responsibilities 12:33.900 --> 12:34.630 that's who we are. 12:35.400 --> 12:37.970 And that's what brought so many our shores including. 12:38.570 --> 12:42.830 King's lee a label things they came here the age of thirty five 12:42.840 --> 12:46.800 from nigeria pursued his masters in information technology is 12:46.810 --> 12:48.030 not pursuing his doctor. 12:48.640 --> 12:51.890 Must become professor. So he can help america lead the world 12:51.900 --> 12:54.310 of high tech industries of tomorrow. 12:54.980 --> 12:59.540 And What came only said is what makes this country. Great is 12:59.550 --> 13:02.090 that if you're citizen your part of something bigger than yourself. 13:02.720 --> 13:05.240 And these right and we're glad that as of today. 13:05.900 --> 13:06.680 Is part of two. 13:08.210 --> 13:11.920 We're also glad to welcome for too on georgia rather. 13:12.880 --> 13:13.320 For two. 13:14.100 --> 13:18.160 Arrived in america from sanlu at the age of twenty three. 13:18.740 --> 13:21.950 Leaving behind her parents and seven siblings she came here to 13:21.960 --> 13:23.680 study international development. 13:24.240 --> 13:28.270 She state for over a decade now to work with non-profits that 13:28.240 --> 13:31.830 teacher kids about sustainable foods and how to live a healthier 13:31.860 --> 13:36.820 life by eating. Well gentleman shows very happy about that today. 13:36.830 --> 13:40.280 She also has the gratitude of from nation. 13:40.890 --> 13:42.140 So thank you so much. 13:43.150 --> 13:44.460 We're so proud of here. 13:45.440 --> 13:49.350 In each of you we see the true spirit of america and we see a 13:49.360 --> 13:53.180 bit of ourselves to because most of our stories traced back to 13:53.190 --> 13:54.400 moments just like this. 13:55.470 --> 13:59.230 To an ancestor who just like the men and women here today raise 13:59.240 --> 14:00.810 the right hand decided that. 14:02.310 --> 14:06.240 The point is that unless you are one of the first americans unless 14:06.250 --> 14:08.900 you're an American you came from someplace else. 14:10.000 --> 14:13.010 That's why we want to find ourselves as a nation of immigrants. 14:13.630 --> 14:15.600 And we've always been better off for. 14:16.470 --> 14:19.840 The promise we see in those who come from all over the world. 14:20.750 --> 14:24.080 Is one of our greatest strengths. To kept our workforce young 14:24.140 --> 14:27.540 keeps our businesses on the cutting edge itself to build the 14:27.550 --> 14:28.820 greatest economic engine. 14:29.340 --> 14:30.440 That the world has ever known. 14:31.460 --> 14:36.240 You think about the drive determination that for each of these 14:36.240 --> 14:38.570 twenty eight men and women to reach the small. 14:39.470 --> 14:41.760 Imagine how far the from here. 14:42.740 --> 14:44.940 The kind of difference that they'll be making. 14:45.720 --> 14:46.810 On behalf of this country. 14:48.470 --> 14:50.040 Immigration makes a strong. 14:50.800 --> 14:54.660 It keeps as vibrant it keeps us hungry keeps is prosperous. 14:55.540 --> 14:56.160 It is. 14:56.760 --> 14:59.410 Part of what makes this such a dynamic country. 15:00.150 --> 15:03.320 If we want to keep attracting the best and the brightest that 15:03.320 --> 15:06.040 the world has to offer then we do a better job of walking. 15:07.300 --> 15:11.390 We've known for years that our immigration system is broken that 15:11.390 --> 15:14.230 we're not doing enough to harness the talent ingenuity of all 15:14.240 --> 15:16.680 those who want to work hard to find a place here. 15:17.920 --> 15:21.210 After and avoiding the problem for years the time has come to 15:21.250 --> 15:26.180 fix it once and for all the time to come for a comprehensive sensible. 15:26.750 --> 15:28.170 Immigration reform. 15:29.370 --> 15:33.580 Now. A couple months ago and the matter and then last month again 15:33.590 --> 15:36.680 in my state of the union address I talked about how republicans 15:36.680 --> 15:39.320 and democrats were rated tackle. This problem together. 15:40.100 --> 15:43.190 And the good news is that since then we've seen some real action 15:43.190 --> 15:45.970 in congress there bipartisan groups in both the house and the 15:45.990 --> 15:50.400 senate working to tackle this challenge. I applaud for that we 15:50.410 --> 15:53.350 are making progress but we've got to finish the job. 15:54.490 --> 15:55.720 Because this issue is not new. 15:56.520 --> 15:59.320 Everyone pretty much knows. What's broken everybody knows how 15:59.340 --> 15:59.760 to fix it. 16:00.440 --> 16:02.270 With paul propose solutions. 16:03.330 --> 16:06.720 We lot a of white papers and Studies. 16:07.380 --> 16:11.190 Which is at this point to work at the political courage to do 16:11.190 --> 16:12.300 what's required to be done. 16:12.810 --> 16:17.110 So I expect to a bill to be put forward expected debate to begin 16:17.110 --> 16:17.790 next month. 16:18.310 --> 16:21.390 I want to sign that bill into law as soon as possible. 16:22.010 --> 16:25.220 We know the real reform means continue to strengthen our border 16:25.220 --> 16:27.180 security and holding employers accountable. 16:27.830 --> 16:31.220 We know that real reform means providing a responsible pathway 16:31.230 --> 16:35.240 to earned citizenship for the eleven million undocumented immigrants 16:35.410 --> 16:36.800 currently living in the shadows. 16:37.450 --> 16:40.830 The pathway that includes passing background. Check paying taxes 16:40.970 --> 16:44.390 penalty and learning english and The back of line behind everyone 16:44.400 --> 16:46.010 else is trying to come here legally. 16:46.870 --> 16:51.570 We know that real reform requires modernising the legal immigration system. 16:51.850 --> 16:54.620 So that our citizens don't have to wait years before their loved 16:54.610 --> 16:58.160 ones are able to join them in america and so that we're attracting 16:58.170 --> 17:01.900 highly skilled entrepreneurs and engineers they're going to help 17:01.960 --> 17:06.100 create good paying jobs and grow our economy. So let's get this data. 17:06.850 --> 17:09.870 Must do in a way that keeps faith with our history and our values. 17:10.760 --> 17:14.500 And no other country on earth welcomes as many new arrivals as us. 17:15.130 --> 17:19.010 As long as the promise of American doors. As long as we continue 17:19.020 --> 17:19.870 to stand tall. 17:20.380 --> 17:22.720 As a beacon of hope and opportunity. 17:23.320 --> 17:26.800 And the world's hardest workers congress entrepreneurs. 17:27.350 --> 17:28.490 Men and women who. 17:28.990 --> 17:32.570 To make enormous sacrifices to get a better life not just for 17:32.580 --> 17:35.060 themselves but for their children their grandchildren. 17:35.620 --> 17:36.510 Are going to keep on coming. 17:37.790 --> 17:42.170 And like the millions who came before and like twenty eight americans 17:42.180 --> 17:43.470 were here today. 17:44.350 --> 17:48.560 That they will bring with them new hopes and dreams new ideas. 17:49.100 --> 17:51.130 And new optimism about our future. 17:52.750 --> 17:53.910 And that will make a strong. 17:54.640 --> 17:57.490 And how will make sure that our best days are ahead of us and 17:57.500 --> 18:00.690 not behind this. So want to thank each and every one of you for 18:01.010 --> 18:05.770 allowing me the to share in this incredible moment this one of. 18:06.810 --> 18:10.800 Best things I get to do is present a United States is to address 18:10.810 --> 18:11.260 all of you. 18:11.950 --> 18:13.540 As fellow citizens. 18:15.160 --> 18:16.050 God bless you. 18:17.240 --> 18:19.100 And god bless the United States of america. 18:20.230 --> 18:24.540 And we now have one last piece of business to the server I'd 18:24.560 --> 18:26.740 like to ask one of our noses. 18:28.520 --> 18:29.220 Do in. 18:29.820 --> 18:32.230 The and Again. 18:33.450 --> 18:37.020 From colombia to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. 18:48.720 --> 18:54.000 I didn't can the flag of the United States of america into republic 18:54.010 --> 18:55.130 for which it stands. 18:55.840 --> 19:01.830 The nation under god in this civil liberty and justice for all breathalyzers..