During shutdown, new U.S. citizens celebrate alone

Four new U.S. citizens were welcomed Tuesday morning in a large, mostly empty room on the sixth floor of a building in Wilkins Township.

The newly minted citizens all wore face masks. They sat in chairs spaced six feet apart. There were no friends. There were no families.

After taking the oath of allegiance and singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” an awkward and restrained applause briefly broke the quiet. Then, in a sliver of normalcy, each new citizen removed their face mask to reveal toothy smiles as they posed with their new certification and miniature American flags.

The process took a little more than six minutes.

This is what a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony looks like in the era of covid-19.

“We are not in normal times,” said Michael Horvath, USCIS District director of the Pittsburgh Field Office, addressing the four people in a voice muffled by his mask.

“Though more reserved than usual, today’s ceremony is no less important or less meaningful than before. Taking the oath of allegiance and embracing U.S. citizenship is a remarkable act of patriotism,” he said.

Andy Quayle, 40, came to the U.S. in the late 1990s from the Isle of Man, a small island nation set in the Irish Sea. He now works in West Mifflin as the borough’s IT coordinator, a position he’s held for six years.

He began the process to become a citizen in October, and was originally scheduled to naturalize as a U.S. citizen in March.

“I feel a little let down because I can’t share this with family and friends,” said Quayle, who came to the ceremony alone.

Quayle took the day off from work. Because nearly everything remains closed, he planned to order in a celebratory meal. Something American. A hamburger perhaps.

Viswa Marreddy and his wife, Vijaya Annpareddy, originally from India, moved to the U.S. around 19 years ago. They live in South Fayette and Viswa Marreddy works as an IT architect.

They began the immigration process in 2004 and became permanent residents in 2015. Like Quayle, they applied to become citizens in October.

The couple has a daughter. She could not come to the ceremony. To celebrate, the couple said they will do something special at home with her later.

Sahar Aklinani, originally from Iraq, declined to comment for this story because she is not fluent in English. Her husband, and de facto interpreter, had to wait downstairs.

USCIS suspended routine in-person services on March 18 because of the coronavirus pandemic. In a post published to its website, the agency said it will begin reopening offices on or after June 4, unless closures are extended.

The agency continues to accept applications and petitions online.

A USCIS spokeswoman that covers parts of seven states in the region, said the agency has begun conducting small in-person naturalization ceremonies.

“Maintaining the integrity of the immigration system remains at the forefront of our mission, especially during difficult times,” she said in an email. “In certain limited circumstances, USCIS is conducting small in-person naturalization ceremonies, or supporting small judicial ceremonies, where proper social distancing precautions are ensured.”

Horvath concluded his remarks with optimism and hope.

“I am confident that your spirit and dedication will contribute to continued prosperity, strength and wel-lbeing of our nation – and together we will make it through this,” he said. “Congratulations to each of you.”