“I’M free!” said William Arago Abu, a member of the LGBTQ community, after he was sworn in as an American citizen on Monday, July 1.
He is originally from China and has legally changed his name from Jibo Tang to William Arago Abu.
“I am proud and grateful to join my fellow Americans in today’s U.S. citizenship oath-taking ceremony,” he said. “I left my family and escaped China’s harsh treatment of LGBTQ persons in exchange for equality and the many freedoms that I can enjoy in the United States of America. Now, I am free. I am grateful to my husband Wil and our two boys for teaching me how to read, write and speak in English. My name is William now, and I am proud to be an American,” Abu said.
Besides Abu, 21 other new U.S. citizens were sworn in at a naturalization ceremony at the District Court for the NMI on Monday.
They are: Judy Colorico Araneta, Maria Doctolero Atalig, Ryan Sacramento Borja, Filmah Reyes Buenaflor, Rommel Rebutica Buenaflor, Florentino Gatmaitan Clemente, Michelle Camacho Cruz, Josefina Ebreo Punzalan, Jose Lumbang Digno, Lucena Ribuyon Ebay, Alfonso Cruz Factor Jr., Criselda Arconado Factor, Mary Jane Deleon Fleming, Jonas Cristobal Geronimo, Kesaraporn Hayward, Crispin Mapalo Huliganga, Maria Socorro Hulinganga, Judy Otarra Mendieta, Lindie Mae Abugan Moleno, Florenda Morcia Rosario, and Lorna Baluyut Tanghal.
Patricia Phelan, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, made a motion in court to accept the applicants as new citizens. Presiding over the special court session, Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona granted Phelan’s motion.
Judge Manglona was joined by Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio in welcoming the new U.S. citizens to the American family.
Triple J Enterprise Vice President Michael Sablan was the guest speaker.
