Giulia Cardoso Kane became a United States citizen Friday morning.
She and her husband had plans to go out for lunch afterward, and then return to New Gloucester where they work as commercial fishermen harvesting scallops.
“Like an American I’m going back to work,” Cardoso Kane said. “I’m excited to be a citizen of what has been my home for the last eight years and feel accepted.”
Cardoso Kane was one of 23 people who took the Oath of Allegiance of the United States in the U.S. District Court of Maine in Bangor on Friday. The biannual ceremony was packed with family and friends watching their loved ones take their oath of citizenship.
The new citizens came from 18 countries: Australia, Canada, Columbia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom and Vietnam.
Chief Judge Lance Walker talked about the importance of citizenship being an action, where people show up to help others and fight for what they believe in.
“It makes no difference what brought you here,” Walker said. “In the United States it does not matter who you were, it matters who you are. Take your place in American history as grateful stewards of the American promise.”
Dr. Sasika Weerakoon moved to the United States 10 years ago with her kids on a permanent green card sponsored by her husband, who had immigrated years earlier.
Taking the oath and becoming a citizen is exciting, she said. She worked as a doctor in Sri Lanka and missed that work after moving to Maine. She worked hard to gain her license in Maine while also taking steps to become a citizen.
“I’m really glad to be here in Maine as a doctor, “ Weerakoon said.
Gov. Janet Mills attended the ceremony and shook hands and took photos with many of the new citizens afterward.
The John Bapst High School choir serenaded attendees with the Star Spangled Banner after people took their oath.
