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Lexington Ushers In New U.S. Citizens

Josh James
/
WUKY

A naturalization ceremony at Transylvania University Friday brought together a crowd from more than 60 countries.

At noon, 168 immigrants took their seats in Haggin Auditorium. An hour later the hall was filled with new U.S. citizens. But the oath, which takes only minutes to recite, represents just the brief final chapter of what is sometimes a long and complicated story.

For Iraqi immigrant Aaeda Ibrahim, who speaks little English, the journey began five years ago.

"I am happy, very happy," she says, clutching her certificate of citizenship.

For others, the process started not so long ago.

WUKY caught up with Cuba native Yuleisi Hinogosabera anxiously waiting at the voter registration table after the ceremony -- just four months after she made the decision to move to the U.S. Smiles are the order of the day as she talks about the moves President Obama has made toward normalizing relations with her home country.

"I feel good because we want to start good relations, the United States and Cuba. Now I feel like my country is going to be free to speak, to travel," she says.

The naturalization ceremony was overseen by Karen Caldwell, chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. 

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.