Among those naturalized was Min Suk Han, 85, owner of Han’s Tire Shop in Garapan and the oldest new citizen, who has lived in the CNMI since 1982. Also sworn in was Asuncion Palang Burnette, a resident since 1985. The ceremony included four husband-and-wife pairs taking the oath together.
Speaking at the naturalization ceremony, Joint Region Marianas Commander Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, urged 28 new U.S. citizens to embrace their responsibilities by “making a difference” and “never losing hope.”
Mietus said citizenship should not be taken for granted. He shared his grandparents’ immigrant journey from Poland and quoted Theodore Roosevelt and Barack Obama in calling on the new citizens to strengthen the nation through service and resilience.
Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona who presided over the special session granted the motion by USCIS officer Maria Camacho to accept the applicants. Manglona encouraged the new citizens to register to vote and serve on juries.
Besides Han, and Burnette, the other new US citizens are Jerry Blancaflor Alcantara, Imelda Vargas Altamirano, Noel Santiago Altamirano, Eufemia Baniqued Austin, Elenita Cuenca Baquilles, Pedro Alejandro Baquilles, Antonio Malamanig Barit, Nelson Basaca Battalones, Raquel Ong Deleon Guerrero, MD Omar Faruk, Renz Guiller Ola Fauni, Cynthia Cruz Ferrari, Antonio De Andres Lastimado, Ronalyn De Ocampo Masga, Ernesto Tasic Moises Jr., Geraldo Pamittan Mora, Alfredo Failago Ngalongalo, Ma. Fe Napalinga Ngalongalo, Emmanuel Lim Po, Allen Paul Salamanca Reyes, Sylveria Saldivar Rufila, Asuncion Gutierrez Sapo, Raymundo Arca Tabilisma, Ma. Grace Habaluyas Vidal, Nelson Lareza Vidal, and Linda Ebilane Yarobwemal.
