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Dozens of immigrants become U.S. citizens in naturalization ceremony [photos]

Ruthie Massey, center, hugs Marina Dunayeva after after Dunayeva received her U.S. citizenship during naturalization ceremony at the Joel W. Solomon Federal Building on Friday, May 11, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Dunayeva immigrated to the U.S. from Russia. About 100 new U.S. citizens were naturalized in two ceremonies at the federal building Friday.
Ruthie Massey, center, hugs Marina Dunayeva after after Dunayeva received her U.S. citizenship during naturalization ceremony at the Joel W. Solomon Federal Building on Friday, May 11, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Dunayeva immigrated to the U.S. from Russia. About 100 new U.S. citizens were naturalized in two ceremonies at the federal building Friday. Ruthie Massey, center, hugs Marina Dunayeva after after Dunayeva received her U.S. citizenship during naturalization ceremony at the Joel W. Solomon Federal Building on Friday, May 11, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Dunayeva immigrated to the U.S. from Russia. About 100 new U.S. citizens were naturalized in two ceremonies at the federal building Friday.

By Emmett Gienapp 3 min read

The main hallway on the third floor of the Joel W. Solomon Federal Building in downtown Chattanooga was packed with people Friday afternoon.

Parents tried their best to keep their children close and quiet, while others regularly checked the time on their watches or phones. Some of those nearest the courtroom craned their necks, peeking through the door windows for a quick glimpse of their loved ones who were about to become U.S. citizens.

Once court officials managed to corral the 52 participants in the naturalization ceremony, the second one hosted in that courtroom Friday, family and friends packed into the room where they could see and U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher Steger welcomed all of them.

Then, the Hixson High School JROTC trouped in with the flag and America’s soon-to-be newest citizens said the pledge of allegiance.

“My fellow Americans, we welcome you, and we certainly need you,” Steger said after they repeated the oath. “Without immigrants, there is no America and there is no American dream.”