VLAD BARBALAT: Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, Director Price.
Thank you, Judge Kelley.
Ladies and gentlemen.
My fellow American citizens, this
is such a special moment for me, to be standing here
before you, as a proud citizen of the United States,
and to someone who not so long ago stood in your shoes.
I understand that each and every single one of you
has been on a long odyssey to get here today.
The struggles and the sacrifices that you have made
will not be forgotten any time soon.
Your grandchildren may forget them.
But that's OK.
The road to citizenship is not an easy one.
But I'm here to assure you that it is incredibly rewarding.
I was just a 10-year-old boy who didn't speak a word of English,
clutching my stuffed toy tiger, when my parents and I
landed at John F. Kennedy Airport
in New York City in 1990.
We were seeking refuge from the prosecution and violence
inflicted upon Jews in the former Soviet Union.
We arrived from Moldova, searching
for a better life, a place where people have the opportunity
to thrive, not just survive.
We found that life here in the United States.
And I'm so grateful, forever grateful, for the opportunities
that this great nation has given me.
And I'm truly honored to be sharing this moment with you,
33 years after my own long road to citizenship.
You have all just taken your Oath of Allegiance.
It is an incredibly special moment,
a moment that many of you may have dreamed
about for quite some time.
Let's remember what it took for each one of you to get here.
I know it was anything but easy.
But this is America.
We are a nation of immigrants, a nation of strivers,
a nation of dreamers.
This is what we do.
President Kennedy's family were immigrants as well.
This has been mentioned before.
And in the president's own words, and I quote,
"Effort and courage are not enough without purpose
and direction."
in America, our nation, you have the purpose and direction
to succeed in your dreams.
You can pursue your passions and live the life
that you have always wanted.
And with citizenship comes the responsibility
to give back to this great nation
as well, to make it an even better place for ourselves,
for our families, and importantly,
for future generations.
So I urge you to embrace your citizenship with open hearts
and open minds.
Be proud of your heritage, and be proud of our country.
Let us work together to create a better future for all of us.
The Oath of Allegiance you have taken today
is just the beginning.
This is a start of a new chapter in your lives, a chapter filled
with opportunities, challenges, and adventures yet unknown.
And this chapter is yours to write.
I want to share a very famous saying with you.
The promise of America is that no matter
who you are and no matter where you come from,
you can have the chance to become whoever you want to be.
These are powerful words.
And in this country, we live them.
I wish for you to leave here today feeling proud,
filled with hope, courage, and determination,
and for all of us together to make America proud.
Congratulations on becoming American citizens.
[APPLAUSE]