Hundreds Become U.S. Citizens on Constitution Day

Reported by: Elex Michaelson
Email: elex.michaelson@sandiego6.com
Last Update: 12:00 am

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SAN DIEGO - Hundreds gathered downtown Friday to officially become U.S citizens on Constitution Day. They fought for America, even though none of them had previously been U.S citizens.

Two of those who took the oath were on opposite ends of the war in Afghanistan but are now united by a common flag.

"In the beginning, you have people who tell you, 'Why did you join the military? You are not even one of them," said Angwang Baimadajie from Tibet who told San Diego 6 that America's freedoms are worth protecting. "Religious freedom is the most important thing for me and my family."

More than 527 San Diegans became citizens from more than 76 countries. Many came to downtown's Golden Hall in traditional dress from their home country, including Nargis Habib of Afghanistan.

"Here you have the freedom to go to school, to work, to practice -- no one tells you what religion you should practice," said Habib, who couldn't attend school as a girl in a Taliban-run society. "We would study secretly at home and have teachers and go secretly to their houses to study."

Now, Habib openly takes the citizenship oath not far from Angwang who could soon be fighting in Habib's former home country.

They both move forward, united by newfound freedoms so many of us often forget to appreciate. And Angwang leaves with a new answer for all those detractors.

"Now if I go outside and people question me again, I can say, 'Hey, listen, I'm a US citizen and I'm fighting for my country.'"

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