(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Northwestern University played host to a major naturalization ceremony Friday afternoon, but conflict outside of the U.S. was on the minds of many in attendance.
Kevin Riddle is with Chicago’s branch of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
“This is a special day,” he said. “Each one of these events is a very special moment in an individual’s life and a celebration of their journey.”
Among the nearly 500 citizenship candidates inside of Welsh Ryan Arena was Yuri, a native of Ukraine.
“My country has a very big problem,” he said. “My heart is 50% here and 50% in my country.”
While he spoke of the overwhelming excitement about being sworn in as a U.S. citizen, he couldn’t help but think about violence back home, and said innocent lives are in danger.
“A very big country has attacked my country,” he said of Russia. “The president of this country, Mr. Putin, is crazy. Very bad people.”
But despite the fears and frustrations, Yuri said support and calls for peace across the world, even here in Chicago, are heartwarming.
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