The United States of America got just a bit larger on Wednesday, Feb. 14, when nearly 30 people from 19 countries gathered at the Oregon Historical Society to partake in their naturalization ceremony.
Among them was Mohammed Yunus, 37, who immigrated from the nation he calls Burma, rather than its modern name, Myanmar. He’s been in the country since 2018 and, as of Wednesday around noon, stood tall as a U.S. citizen.
With the aid of his friend Sayad Abdul, who immigrated from Burma in 2007, Yunus explained that his family fled their home country because they are Rohingya, a group of largely Islamic people who fled Myanmar following the 2017 genocide by that country’s military.
“We were kicked out of our country. That’s how we came to America,” Yunus explained through Abdul.
“I’m so very happy to be here,” Yunus said, smiling widely.
With his family there to watch, Yunus took his place among the other citizens-to-be and sang the “Star-Spangled Banner,” watched a video, heard guest speakers, including former Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, then stood, right hand raised, and recited the Oath of Allegiance.