Government/Politics

More Than 200 Ohioans Become U.S. Citizens In Statehouse Ceremony

The Statehouse News Bureau | By Karen Kasler

Published February 25, 2020 at 4:52 PM EST

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Maree Gavhed, her husband Abdloulaye Soumana and her children celebrate her new citizenship.

Karen Kasler

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Man Biswa looks at the certificate he received at the naturalization ceremony. (credit Kasler)

Karen Kasler

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New U.S. citizens listen to a speech from Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

Karen Kasler

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Two new citizens pose with U.S District Judge Algenon Marbley, who offered opening remarks.

Karen Kasler

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A father and his children listen at the ceremony.

Karen Kasler

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New citizens recite the Pledge of Allegiance after the naturalization ceremony.

Karen Kasler

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A new citizen appears emotional after the naturalization ceremony.

Karen Kasler

219 people from 54 countries became US citizens in a ceremony at the Statehouse today. And they were pretty pleased about it.

Sage Shahid, Maree Gavhed, Man Biswa and Augustine Ackah all became citizens today. They live in the 15-county area covered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field office in Columbus.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose spoke at the event, in which the new citizens all received applications to become registered voters.

Pretty cool to see 200 new Americans welcomed into our country today as citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse. pic.twitter.com/rZmFTrURDZ
— Joshua A. Bickel (@joshuabickel) February 26, 2020

Naturalization ceremonies like this are held around the state several times a year.