More than 500 become U.S. citizens in Seattle ceremony

Maria Teresa Rodriguez wasn't even sure she wanted to come here. She had a career in Mexico City as a high-school principal, and all her friends were there. Plus, she didn't speak much English.

"What am I going to do in America?" she wondered.

But six years ago, she took up her two grown children — one married to an American, the other born during a short visit to the United States — on their offer to sponsor her temporary residency. Yesterday, amid a sea of red balloons and pinwheel flags at Seattle Center's Fisher Pavilion, she officially became a U.S. citizen along with more than 500 candidates from more than 80 countries.

The Fourth of July ceremony was one of 55 such events across the nation in which more than 3,800 candidates were expected to be conferred the rights, privileges and obligations of U.S. citizenship.

"We are proud that you are woven into this tapestry we call America," U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell told Seattle's crowd of candidates, families and supporters. "You are not only declaring your freedom; you are making a commitment to uphold freedom."

For Rodriguez, it was a proud day, one she hadn't been sure would come. What made the difference was getting involved with Seattle's Cielo Project, a Latino-based advocacy organization where she now directs the Spanish-literacy and GED program.

So even as she studies English, she teaches Spanish, feeding her passion as an educator. "I didn't close my professional life. This is one of the things I like very much, the opportunity to continue to share my knowledge."

Yesterday's oldest candidate was a Thai man born in 1935. Meg Fussell, an 18-year-old graduate of Eastlake High, was the youngest — by a day. She moved here with her family from the United Kingdom 10 years ago.

At last, the candidates stood as their countries of origin were read one by one, waving little American flags. There was an Ethiopian nursing assistant, a Jordanian Microsoftie, a Pakistani couple with their 1-month-old daughter.

The largest contingents represented India, Mexico and the Philippines. But there was Fiji, too, and Ivory Coast, and a resplendently vested man from Finland. A contingent from China cheered in unison, and a woman from Iraq waved her flag and danced like she never wanted to stop.

Then, as a group, all raised their right hands and took the oath. At 1:02 p.m., U.S. Circuit Court Judge Richard Tallman officially pronounced them citizens.

And with that, it was time to trade their green cards for certificates of citizenship, which means the first thing they did as Americans was to stand in line.

Some immediately registered to vote. Others posed for photos with a Statue of Liberty made of Legos.

For Rodriguez, it was time to celebrate. She said she wanted to go to Red Robin, to eat the most All-American meal she could think of: a big hamburger and French fries, apple pie and a milkshake.

"That will be my menu," she said. "I don't eat usually this every day. But today, I want to do it."

Marc Ramirez: 206-464-8102 or mramirez@seattletimes.com