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See 750 new citizens celebrate becoming flag-waving Americans in Roseville

Sacramento Bee staff

The nation’s newest 750 citizens took their Oath of Allegiance in Roseville on Wednesday.

Hailing from 76 countries, the new Americans swore to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution and “renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity” to their previous country. Mexico, India, Philippines, Afghanistan and Vietnam were the top five nations from which the new citizens emigrated.

Rebecca Sheehy, the Sacramento field office director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, administered the oath and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, a former ambassador to India, spoke about his experience immigrating from India as a teenager.

Baby Lucas, dressed in red, white and blue, is fascinated by his mother Sandra Toma’s two American flags while sitting on father Rimon Toma’s lap during the naturalization ceremony Wednesday. The family is originally from Iraq.
Baby Lucas, dressed in red, white and blue, is fascinated by his mother Sandra Toma’s two American flags while sitting on father Rimon Toma’s lap during the naturalization ceremony Wednesday. The family is originally from Iraq. Renée C. Byer rbyer@sacbee.com
Olga Macri, second from right, originally from Russia, was happy to receive her certificate of citizenship at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony in Roseville on Wednesday.
Olga Macri, second from right, originally from Russia, was happy to receive her certificate of citizenship at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony in Roseville on Wednesday. Renée C. Byer rbyer@sacbee.com
Sandra and Rimon Toma dressed their baby Lucas in red, white and blue for their U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony in Roseville on Wednesday3. The family is originally from Iraq.
Sandra and Rimon Toma dressed their baby Lucas in red, white and blue for their U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony in Roseville on Wednesday3. The family is originally from Iraq. Renée C. Byer rbyer@sacbee.com
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, and former ambassador to India, Richard Verma speaks about his experience immigrating from India as a teenager as he welcomed 750 new U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony in Roseville on Wednesday.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, and former ambassador to India, Richard Verma speaks about his experience immigrating from India as a teenager as he welcomed 750 new U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony in Roseville on Wednesday. Renée C. Byer rbyer@sacbee.com
New U.S. citizens hold American flags during a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony At the Grounds in Roseville on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023.
New U.S. citizens hold American flags during a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony At the Grounds in Roseville on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. Renée C. Byer rbyer@sacbee.com

This story was originally published December 20, 2023 at 1:50 PM.

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Nathaniel Levine
The Sacramento Bee
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Bee visuals editor Nathaniel Levine joined the staff in 2003. His work has received awards from the Society of News Design, the Best of the West journalism competition and the California News Publishers Association, among others. A native Californian, Levine grew up in Grass Valley and attended UC Davis.
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