Nearly 100 become citizens in naturalization ceremony at Belleville West

The bleachers of Belleville West High School’s gymnasium were packed Friday, but instead of cheering for Maroons basketball, spectators applauded nearly 100 brand-new U.S. citizens.

For hundreds of social studies students, Friday’s naturalization ceremony was a unique opportunity to “live civics,” as department chair Cyndi Oberle-Dahm said. For those taking the Oath of Allegiance, it was a pivotal moment.

“(Becoming) an American citizen gives you the opportunity to do whatever you want, to be whoever you want, pursue your real dream – like what your spirit tells you,” said Afi Zakkour, who officially became a citizen at the ceremony.

Her life in the U.S. is a sharp contrast to women’s lives in Ghana, Zakkour explained. If in Ghana, she would have ended up as a housewife. Working multiple jobs outside the home, especially the construction job she loves, wouldn’t be possible.

“I’m loving it,” Zakkour said. “I’m not just sitting in the house. I have a voice, I’m respected, I’m not just a wife or a baby-making machine.”

The ceremony included performances from the Belleville West Jazz Band and the school’s choir, Maroon Majic, and Belleville West students greeted families as they filed into the gym. Judge Laura K. Grandy presided over the ceremony.

Later in the ceremony, each new citizen had a chance to introduce themselves and briefly share their story. Despite being from 26 different countries, there were a few through lines for the new citizens, Belleville West senior Chloe Dietz said.

“It stood out how proud to be an American citizen everyone was,” Dietz said.

Dietz and Emma Johnson, another senior at Belleville West, said they were also struck by how much effort it takes to become a U.S. citizen. Many of the new citizens spoke on how they waited years, sometimes even decades, for this moment.

And the process isn’t easy, said Lolita Manalo and her daughter April Laslie.

Manalo joined Laslie in the U.S. from the Philippines during the pandemic. Laslie came to the US on a K-1 visa, commonly called the fiancé visa, in 2014 to marry her husband.

As soon as she could after gaining citizenship, Laslie started working on getting her mother to the U.S. and, eventually, to become a citizen too. It was important to have the family together, the two explained, since Laslie is Manalo’s only child. When Manalo was in the Philippines she missed out on precious time with her young granddaughter; the two didn’t want that for Manalo’s second child.

After initial visa denials, lots of paperwork, additional delays with the recent government shutdown, fees and more, Laslie said she can finally relax: Manalo became a U.S. citizen Friday.

“After five years she’s here,” Laslie said. “I told her it was a long time coming.”

That latter sentiment – that it’s been ‘a long time coming’ – is something Doris Ramchander’s family identifies with.

Ramchander built an entire life in the U.S. after arriving from India 53 years ago. She has multiple children, grandchildren and a child care business.

Once she hit the 50 year mark, her family encouraged her to take the next step and move from a permanent resident to citizen.

“I always felt like I’m American,” Ramchander said. “But I guess I needed this piece of paper.”

Many of those who became citizens Friday did not wish to comment on the latest actions taken by agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Despite rumors that swirled earlier this week, ICE was not present at the ceremony.

This story was originally published January 30, 2026 at 5:58 PM.