New Americans 24 people sworn in as U.S. citizens at Bangor ceremony

BANGOR – Home sweet home.

The new citizens who filled the U.S. District Court room on Friday may not have been born in the United States, but this is the place they now can call home.

Twenty-four men and women were sworn as new American citizens, each one receiving a small U.S. flag at the end of the ceremony.

“I’m very happy and proud to be here,” said Sandra Tijerina of Old Town. “I can raise my [3-year-old] son in a good country.”

Tijerina and her husband, Stefano Tijerina, both of whom took the oath of citizenship, are natives of Colombia, a place she described as “very conflicted.”

The Tijerinas have been waiting for 61/2 years to become American citizens, during which time they each had to complete and pass tests in subjects such as English language, U.S. history and American government.

But the studying isn’t done for Sandra Tijerina. This December she will graduate from the University of Maine with a master’s degree in human development.

Other newly sworn citizens on Friday came from countries including China and Turkey. Last October, 41 new citizens were sworn in at the Bangor federal court.

“I assure you, if you work hard here, that you will find this a richly rewarding place to be,” U.S. District Judge Gene Carter, presiding over the ceremony, said to the men and women.

Jimmy Angelo, 57, of Millinocket has found his time in Maine rewarding and hopes it is just the beginning of his success in this state.

“This is a big day for me,” the native of Greece said. “I’m having the time of my life.”

Angelo, who said he had waited 25 years to become a citizen, first came to Maine in 1982 when he helped opened the Orono House of Pizza. He plans to expand his pizza businesses, which include a shop in Millinocket, and would like to get married again.

Eight of the 24 new citizens going through the naturalization process also applied for a change of name. All were granted.

Also being sworn in on Friday morning were five new lawyers.

Speaking to both the new citizens and lawyers, Assistant U.S. Attorney James McCarthy said, “I’m not going to tell you everything is perfect in the United States because it’s not.

“But one citizen and one attorney can make a difference and make this a better place,” McCarthy said.