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A swearing-in ceremony for new citizens scheduled in Bangor had to be canceled because the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Office did not have enough workers to send due to budget cuts. These new citizens will bear the cost of travel and lost wages to go to Portland, but I would suggest that they are not the only people who should be disappointed by the cancellation.
When I was sworn in to the Maine Bar in 1974, our ceremony was preceded by the swearing-in of new citizens. I still remember the look of joy and relief as these new citizens from all over the world took their oath.
If these ceremonies resume, it is well worth an hour of your time to go to the courthouse and witness this event. It should remind you how precious democracy is and of the freedoms that we take for granted.
Jeffrey Lovit
Addison
