More than 70 Iowans become U.S. citizens

WEST BRANCH - Seventy-three Eastern Iowa immigrants, representing 30 countries, became full U.S. citizens on Wednesday as part of Constitution Day.

'I can't think of a better way to celebrate the signing of the Constitution than to welcome new citizens,” said U.S. District Court Chief Magistrate Judge Jon Scoles, who led the ceremony.

The ceremony took place at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch and resembled a Fourth of July celebration in the middle of September.

Audience members and citizenship candidates held small American flags and much of the crowd dressed in patriotic red, white and blue clothing.

'It's my favorite thing to do as a federal judge,” Scoles said. 'It's one of the rare occasions that everyone is happy to be here.”

Pyalo Dodo, a native of Togo who came to the United States in 2009 and lives in Muscatine, became a citizen Wednesday.

'I'm very excited and emotional because I'm so happy to be a U.S. citizen and pursue my dreams for my children,” she said, adding that her two children were born in Togo but now have citizenship as well.

During the ceremony, citizenship candidates took an oath of allegiance and then recited the Pledge of Allegiance with the rest of the audience. Then, representatives of Sen. Chuck Grassley, Sen. Tom Harkin, Rep. Dave Loebsack and Rep. Bruce Braley read statements to the new citizens, and a recording of President Barack Obama followed.

Brigit Schulze, a German immigrant who lives in Tiffin, came to the United States in 2001 and said after 13 years without citizenship, she's most excited about her right to vote.

'I have all the rights other Americans have,” she said. 'It's great - it makes it a lot easier to live here.”

One spectator, Judith Swailes, from Columbus Junction, said she comes to the event each year.

'I get teary eyed because I know what some of them have gone through,” she said. 'I think everyone should attend one of these.”

Swailes said she volunteers for Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors - a ministry that helps immigrants around the state.

'I always wanted to travel around the world, but I'm 73 now, and I know I'm not going to,” she said. 'So I can be at the church and let the world come to me.”