100-plus minors take oath of citizenship

SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE 5:54 p.m. January 20, 2009

POINT LOMA – More than 100 newly naturalized children and their parents had a reason to celebrate beyond the inauguration Tuesday.

The kids, ranging in age from 11 months to 17 years old, took their oath of allegiance in a rare citizenship ceremony just for minors, held in an auditorium next to the New Americans Museum in Point Loma. The museum coordinated with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to organize the event.

Children typically receive derivative U.S. citizenship from one or both parents after their parents become citizens, or after they are adopted. Yesterday, however, the children stood up and, holding miniature American flags, took their oath just like adults do. They were later handed their citizenship certificates.

“It has been a long time coming, but worth it,â€