Nancy Brinker United States Ambassador
T Proud to Be a New American
here are few events in public life that are more powerful and uniquely American than a naturalization ceremony. The process by which an applicant may
become a naturalized U.S. citizen isn’t easy. It requires a commitment to hard work along with a demonstrated grasp and adherence to the ideals of our nation. This summer, I’ve witnessed that far too many of us
take our citizenship for granted. We should also take a moment to appreciate the fact that we live in an amazing, indispensable nation. Each of us has a duty, as citizens, to contribute to the
grand American experiment. History clearly illustrates that the diversity of our
nation is among our greatest strengths. The confl uence of culture, race, ethnicity, religion, and breadth of past experience enjoyed by our people is woven into the fab- ric of the republic in a manner that never can and never will be removed. There’s no other place like it in the world; it’s what makes us truly exceptional. Therefore, it’s no wonder why
so many yearn to make their way, legally, to America. They do so to achieve a better life, and if they’re lucky, the benefi ts of the Ameri- can dream that can be passed on to future generations. As a former U.S. ambassador
Nearly two decades following my service abroad and
at the White House, the light of American liberty contin- ues to burn bright. There’s much evidence of this fact, not the least of
which are ongoing naturalization trends here in the U.S. Prior to 2020, U.S. naturalizations were on the rise,
peaking at 843,593 people. That fi gure, according to the Department of Homeland Security, was its highest level since 2007. The Pew Research Center’s projection for the num-
ber of annual naturalizations for the current fi scal year, about 940,000, is higher than for any year since 2008, when an all-time high of 1,047,000 immigrants became citizens. This summer, we’ve seen immigration reform policy
who served our nation in Eastern Europe in the days following 9/11, I saw fi rsthand the amazing com- mand of American culture and sharp power abroad. Even among former Soviet satellite states, people were
inspired by tales of American heroes who went by the names of Reagan, Glenn, Eisenhower, and Roosevelt. To this day, they never view us as Democrats or Repub-
licans, liberals or conservatives, just Americans who seek a better life for our people, and also a liberal, rules-based order capable of spreading freedom to many of the darkest corners of the world. The U.S. now stands at a moment of intense competi-
tion in the world, not only economically, but also with respect to brainpower and talent. To resuscitate and harness the power and resources
we have traditionally drawn from skilled immigrants and even refugees, and continue to expand the infl uence of our culture, our government must advance policies that are in concert with its values.
WELCOME New U.S. citizens being sworn in at a naturalization ceremony at Boston’s Faneuil Hall in January.
take center stage in presidential campaigns. Each can- didate is right to promote the multitude of societal benefi ts associated with legal immigration because it carries such outsized infl uence on bolstering the economic and competitive strength of America on the world stage. So, what goes into the legal naturalization process, you might ask? Well, to become a citizen, an applicant must be at least 18 years of age, establish that he or she has been lawfully admitted to the United States for perma- nent residence at the time of fi ling the naturalization applica- tion, and have resided continu-
ously here for at least fi ve years. Additional requirements for applicants, according to
the State Department, include “the ability to speak, read, and write the English language; knowledge of U.S. govern- ment and its history; attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and being of good moral character.” This is a rigorous process — and rightfully so. To claim
the title of American citizen, it should be earned and worn with a sense of pride. Because with it comes respon- sibility that extends to your community, our nation, and the free world. Each of us is a dynamic ambassador for the grand American experiment — a keeper of the fl ame of liberty. May it forever shine bright.
Nancy Brinker is a former U.S. ambassador and founder of Susan G. Komen and The Promise Fund of Florida.
AUGUST 2023 | NEWSMAX 23
JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
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