Nearly 20 new U.S. citizens sworn in in Redmond

Nearly 20 immigrants from over a dozen countries became new U.S. citizens on Saturday in Redmond.

The event was part of the Redmond’s Festival of Cultures. The 17 immigrants, three of whom call Central Oregon home, represented 13 nations in all, officials said. Five people from Mexico become U.S. citizens, two from the Philippines and others from Benin, China, India, Israel, Jordan, the Netherlands, Peru, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Venezuela and the United Kingdom.

For Nayef Salem, who moved to America from Israel, it was about finding a better quality of life from where he grew up.

“I came to America for (a) peaceful place and freedom.” Salem said.

Salem, the last member of his family to become a U.S. citizen, said he is ready to start this new chapter in his life.

“Living the American dream, working hard and enjoying life.” he said.

Jose Balcazar, vice president of the Latino Community Association of Central Oregon, said it’s a bittersweet moment for him, after becoming a U.S. citizen 24 years ago.

“This country is a country of opportunity,” Balcazar said. “You can get as much as you want to get. You can move forward or stay where you at.”

Redmond’s Festival of Cultures was sponsored by the organization.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Portland holds a naturalization ceremony every year in Central Oregon.