By Natela Cutter
DLIFLC Public Affairs
Asma Naser poses with DLIFLC Commandant Col. David Chapman with her newly acquired naturalization certificate. (Photo by Natela Cutter)
MONTEREY, Calif. – Ten individuals were inducted as new U.S. citizens in a naturalization ceremony that took place at the Presidio of Monterey Feb. 5, marking the seventh such event hosted by the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center.
“I worked very hard to come to the United States and today my dream has come true,” said Asma Naser from Afghanistan and a Pashto instructor at DLIFLC. Naser, who speaks excellent English, came to the U.S. in 2006, after having worked at the European Commission in Kabul for a year. “I am so happy today,” beamed Naser, who said that she was fortunate to attend Middleburry College, Vermont, and receive a degree in International Studies. “I love teaching my culture and language to students. They work really hard,” she said.
Asma Naser reads the pledge of allegiance before newly naturalized U.S. citizens, staff, family and friends at DLIFLC on Feb. 6. (Photo by Natela Cutter)
Naturalization ceremonies occur several times a year at DLIFLC, organized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services from nearby San Jose, California, in cooperation with the Institute’s Faculty Personnel System. Some 1,800 foreign language instructors teach 23 languages at the Institute.
“It is an honor to welcome you as new citizens of the United States,” said Gary Garman, USCIS section chief who presided over the event. Those naturalized Thursday came from a number of countries, including Iraq, Iran, Somalia and China.
Bumyada Horn takes a photo with her husband at the conclusion of the naturalization ceremony Feb. 6. (Photo by Natela Cutter)
“I feel proud of myself and proud to be an American,” said Bunyada Horn from Thailand. Horn came to the U.S. with her husband who had been stationed in Thailand in 2008. She has been able to gain her General Education Degree and is looking forward to a career in cosmology.
