(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Wrigley Field served as the backdrop Friday morning for the ballpark’s first-ever naturalization ceremony.
The word “welcome," in dozens of languages, was projected from the giant video monitor in left field, and hundreds of miniature American flags waved in the cool breeze.
"It's truly a privilege to host this special event,” Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said. “Wrigley Field is 107 years old, and when you're 107 years old, you don't get a lot of firsts but this is a first.”
Federal Judge John Lee led the naturalization oath of allegiance as 172 people from 45 countries became United States citizens. Members of the group raised their right hands in unison as they stood in front of their stadium seats along the third-base line.
Lee said the significance was not lost on him, an immigrant from South Korea who took the oath himself.
"My parents came here half way around the world in hopes of creating a better life for them, their children and their children's children,” the judge said.
Hector Perez immigrated from Mexico when he was 8 years old. Now, three decades later, he is officially an American citizen.
"Im very proud, very happy. I was nervous today. I've waited for so long for this moment,” he said.
His brother, Joe Mecina, says it's a special day in more ways than one.
"I don't think it gets any better than this. It's Wrigley Field, you got the ivy, everything, American flag blowing in the wind. The only thing that would make it more American is a hot dog and a beer, " he said, laughing.
Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley praised the new citizens for studying hard and persevering.
“You already felt like Americans in your hearts and your minds and now you are on paper, too,” he said.
"It was a struggle. It definitely took me a long time,” Perez said. “My advice: Stay positive and eventually it will happen.”
Some 625,000 people became U.S. citizens in 2020.
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