New citizens recite the Oath of Allegiance at a citizenship and naturalization ceremony at the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on Friday, May 22, 2026.
New citizen Maria Camila Hoover-Espinosa of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä speaks during a citizenship and naturalization ceremony at the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse on Friday, May 22, 2026.
Twenty-seven new U.S. citizens from 19 countries were welcomed at a citizenship and naturalization ceremony, on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Robert C. Byrd Federal Courthouse in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
Twenty-seven new U.S. citizens from 19 countries were welcomed at a citizenship and naturalization ceremony, on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Robert C. Byrd Federal Courthouse in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE | Gazette-Mail
After hearing keynote speakers talk about strength and perseverance, more than two dozen new U.S. citizens were welcomed at a citizenship and naturalization ceremony Friday at the Robert C. Byrd Federal Courthouse in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
The ceremony was presided over by Frank W. Volk, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
New citizens recite the Oath of Allegiance at a citizenship and naturalization ceremony at the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on Friday, May 22, 2026.
The keynote speaker, Amy Beth Cyphert, associate professor of law at West Virginia University, spoke about the personal significance of understanding and appreciating her heritage, which is Scots Irish, German and English.
Cyphert also focused on the choice the new citizens made to become Americans.
"Today, you join us and celebrate a nation that so many have risked so much to join and to protect. You honor us with your choice to be here."
Twenty-seven people from 19 countries took the naturalization oath Friday, received citizenship certificates, heard from Cyphert and also heard from one of their own.
New citizen Maria Camila Hoover-Espinosa of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä speaks during a citizenship and naturalization ceremony at the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse on Friday, May 22, 2026.
New citizen Maria Camila Hoover-Espinosa, 28, a native of Colombia, came to West Virginia four years ago with her husband,ÌýRoss Hoover,Ìýfor his work in the coal mining industry. Hoover-Espinosa recently graduated from the physician’s assistant program at the University of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä. The couple is expecting their first child in June.
Hoover-Espinosa said the Mountain State was instantly familiar to her.
"West Virginia reminds me a lot of home," she said, mentioning how the mountains surrounding her now are similar to theÌýAndes in Colombia.
In her address, Hoover-Espinosa spoke about her journey to Friday's naturalization and citizenship ceremony.
"Becoming a citizen of the United States is not easy," she told her fellow citizens as their families and friends looked on. Adapting to new customs, ... starting over when necessary, ... continuing forward even when the future feels uncertain. Today, this nation recognizes that strength. America has always been renewed by people willing to begin again."
What's next
Citizenship ceremonies usually occur triennially at the Federal Courthouse in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä. For information on the naturalization process, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. Take a sample citizenship quiz that contains some of the same questions today's new citizens answered at civicsquestions.com.
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Christopher Millette is the Editor of the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Gazette-Mail. He can be reached at 304-348-5124 orÌýcmillette@hdmediallc.com. Follow him on Twitter:Ìý@cmillette.
