Celebrate America! Columbus Day Still Relevant

Christopher Columbus fortuitously reached the New World on October 12, 1492. Immigrants throughout the world would eventually settle in this part of the New World. This history is still relevant today, because it was from his accidental discovery that the United States of America eventually came to be.

Immigrants to this part of the world still benefit from Columbus’s discovery. Each year immigrants arrive with the ambition of becoming Naturalized U.S. Citizens. There is an application process and various fees involved to get the “green card” that gives them legal status to reside in the United States. The immigrants must then establish legal permanent residency for five years. After these criteria are met, the fee to apply for citizenship costs $595, and the fingerprinting fee is $85. A citizenship test must be passed, along with a personal interview regarding personal history and character. The waiting period can take up to two years. Procedures do vary in certain circumstances, such as when immigrants are married to U.S. citizens. After these immigrants / permanent residents have complied with all requirements, they finally appear in federal court before a judge for the naturalization ceremony. It is at this ceremony that they take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. The federal agency that administers the process was formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS), but it has been reorganized as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For further details, see http://www.uscis.gov/

Mary Lou Godbey of Lilburn, GA organizes a receiving line and reception to follow naturalization ceremonies held at the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta, GA. Godbey proudly takes on this responsibility for two ceremonies each calendar year. As a member of the Lawrenceville Philadelphia Winn Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and Committee Chair of the Americanism Committee, she does get enthusiastic support. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a non-profit service organization for women who can trace ancestors to the American Revolution. For more information, see http://www.dar.org/ or email the Lawrenceville Chapter at philwinndar@gmail.com.

Caption: Janet Perry of Loganville, Former Regent Peggy Freeman of Lilburn, and Former Regent Mary Lou Godbey of Lilburn, GA. Godbey is the Chairman of the Americanism Committee that hosts the receptions at the Naturalization Ceremonies for New Citizens.