Cameroonian among 140 others sworn in as US citizens

Kate Barnes was born in Cameroon and came to the U.S. in 2006 through an 'au pair program', working as a nanny and going to school.

When she arrived, she spoke three-and-a-half Cameroonian dialects and French, but no English. Today, she runs her own business in association with LegalShield, providing identity theft protection and legal services for companies.

"That is the beauty of being in America: free enterprise," Barnes said. "You can do your own thing, and that's what I've done for a number of years." On Thursday, she joined 139 others from 47 countries to take the oath of citizenship, marking Citizenship Day and Constitution Day in America as an official citizen of her adopted country.

Men and women from all over the world, including Nepal, Myanmar, Iraq, Gambia and several Latin American countries, stood to share their feelings after raising their right hand and swearing the Oath of Allegiance.

Real Salt Lake defender, Aubdoulie "Kenny" Mansally, stood and said that he was proud to bring his culture to the U.S. and share it with others. "I thank God for giving me the opportunity to play soccer and that soccer brought me all the way here and now I am an American citizen," Mansally said. Mansally, from Gambia, said the U.S. is the greatest country ever and that a lot of people in Africa want to become American citizens.

Others stood and offered in varying levels of English their pride in completing the lengthy process of gaining citizenship. Many stood and offered their gratitude and love for family members who had supported them in the process of coming to the U.S. and getting citizenship.

Judge Scott Matheson Jr., of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, presided at the meeting with deputy clerk Julie Wierschem administering the oath. Matheson said that new citizens bring new talent and culture that strengthen and enrich the country. He said this was important as the U.S. constantly changes to reach "a more perfect union."

"You have joined a work in progress," Matheson said. "You will help write the next chapter of representative American democracy as members of a self-governing community."

After the oath, Matheson said that those in attendance were now obligated to be good citizens by contributing to the common good through civic engagement, voting, jury duty, volunteer service and staying up-to-date on issues.