Forty New Citizens Welcomed in Naturalization Ceremony at the Great Falls

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On a beautiful autumn morning, on October 10, 2024, Paterson’s Great Falls National Historical Park hosted its annual naturalization ceremony, a celebration honoring Paterson’s deep-rooted immigrant history. Each October, this ceremony welcomes new U.S. citizens, recognizing the city’s legacy as a haven for those pursuing better lives. NJCDC’s Founder and CEO Bob Guarasci delivered the keynote address, inspiring the new citizens with words of encouragement and reflection.

This year, 40 individuals took the Oath of Allegiance, symbolizing the end of a long journey that included securing a visa, learning English, studying American history, passing a citizenship test, and being deemed “of good moral character” by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Among them were 21 Paterson residents, hailing from numerous countries including the Dominican Republic, Peru, Bangladesh, Ecuador, and Ukraine.

In his keynote address, Bob spoke about the significance of becoming a U.S. citizen, emphasizing the importance of contributing to the community and urging the new Americans to actively engage in the civic life of their towns and cities. “It’s a privilege to celebrate your new journey in a country where the promise of a better life can be realized,” he said. Quoting Muhammad Ali, Bob reminded the audience, “Service to others is the rent we pay for our room on Earth.”

Among those Paterson residents standing proudly as newly naturalized citizens was Jean Gomez, who emigrated from the Dominican Republic in 2014. Notably, he has since become engaged in the Great Falls Neighborhood, he said, by supporting NJCDC’s community improvement efforts. Reflecting on his journey, Jean expressed his aspirations to give back to Paterson, the city that welcomed his family, and pursue a career in government.

The event also paid tribute to the late Congressman Bill Pascrell, a beloved and longtime supporter of NJCDC. The Congressman was a passionate advocate for immigrants and the entire Paterson community, and his memory was honored as new citizens began their journeys.

At the ceremony’s conclusion, the new citizens were encouraged to stay engaged and contribute to the nation’s ongoing story, just as generations of immigrants before them had done. In a poignant reminder of their newfound rights and responsibilities, many stayed to fill out voter registration cards, marking the beginning of their active participation in American democracy.

Held where immigrant Alexander Hamilton once envisioned America’s first industrial center, this ceremony serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of immigrants and their contributions to the fabric of American life. “Let us never take our freedom for granted,” Bob concluded during his address, “nor the benefits bestowed upon us by living in the greatest nation in the world.”