Ahmed Mohamedsalih, a native of Sudan, takes the Oath of Allegiance with more than 600 other individuals from 95 countries who became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
Tammy Ljungblad
Tljungblad@kcstar.com
In the front row at Kauffman Stadium, Ahmed Mohamedsalih, originally from Sudan, smiled at his wife, Waad Taha, as he stood and proudly recited the Oath of Allegiance, officially becoming a U.S. citizen. He was one of more than 600 immigrants from 95 countries who took the oath during Thursday’s naturalization ceremony in Kansas City.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill A. Morris presided over the event, with Court Executive Paige Wymore-Wynn administering the Oath. Jeff Diskin, Royals’ director of professional and sport development, addressed the new citizens, emphasizing the diverse backgrounds of Kansas City Royals players. The ceremony, hosted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, is part of Immigration Service’s efforts to celebrate new citizens at iconic locations.
Mohamedsalih, a college student at Metropolitan Community College, is currently taking ESL classes and aspires to become a commercial lawyer. After waiting four years for citizenship, he expressed his excitement and pride. “I am very excited and very proud of myself,” Mohamedsalih said. He lives with his family in Platte City, Missouri.
Ahmed Mohamedsalih, a native of Sunday, smiles at his wife, Waad Taha, before taking the Oath of Allegiance Thursday. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
The Kind family, originally from South Africa, now living in Martin City, celebrated and waved American flags after becoming American citizens during the naturalization ceremony. Diane and Neil Kind, along with their sons Benjamin, Joshua, and Nathan, proudly took the Oath of Allegiance and then the family celebrated with hugs all around. The family moved to the United States in 2013. “It is an honor and a privilege to become citizens of this great country,” Neil Kind shared in a text message.
The Kind family, originally from South Africa, celebrated together after becoming American citizens during a naturalization ceremony Thursday at Kauffman Stadium. From left, brothers Benjamin, Joshua, and Nathan Kind, along with their parents Diane and Neil Kind, took the Oath of Allegiance during the event. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Wearing iridescent shoes and a blue and black tuxedo, Joshua Ubogu, 29, from Jefferson City, Missouri, was overjoyed at becoming a U.S. citizen. Originally from Nigeria, Ubogu has lived in the United States for ten years and works as a data analyst. He plans to celebrate his new citizenship with family and friends, including his brothers Edward and Raymond Okolo, who were on hand to support and celebrate him at the stadium during the ceremony. “I’m super elated,” he said as he waved a small U.S. flag in the air and the brothers took photos.
Joshua Ubogu, 29, of Jefferson City, Missouri, waves an American flag after becoming a U.S. citizen Thursday.. He plans to celebrate his citizenship with family and friends. “I’m super elated,” he said. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Wearing red lipstick and a bright pink blazer, Zulma Salas beamed with pride as she sat in the front row with her family to be sworn in as U.S. citizen. Originally from Durango, Mexico, Salas said she has waited six years to take the Oath of Allegiance. Her nieces celebrated by giving her bouquets of flowers with messages saying “New Citizen” and “Congratulations, Mama.”
Zulma Salas from Monet, Missouri, takes her Oath of Citizenghip Thursday at Kauffman Stadium. She is a native of Durango, Mexico. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Zulma Salas received a special arrangement of flowers from family members at the citizenship ceremony. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
After ten years of waiting, Lorena Alvarez Meza, originally from Jalisco, Mexico, took selfies with her family during the naturalization ceremony as she became a U.S. citizen. “I am so excited,” said Alvarez Meza, who plans to register to vote as her first action as a U.S. citizen. She now lives with her husband and two children in Lee’s Summit. Fortunately for Alvarez Meza, the League of Women Voters was registering new Americans to vote near the exit to the stadium.
Lorena Alvarez Meza, a native of Jalisco, Mexico, takes a selfie Thursday with her family including daughter, Eliza Franco, 8, her husband, Carlos Franco, and son Iker Franco, 10, as during the naturalization ceremony at Kauffman Stadium where she would become a U.S. citizen. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Following a naturalization ceremony, the League of Women Voters was present to register eligible voters. Citizens from more than 95 countries took the oath of U.S. citizenship during the official ceremony held at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
As the oaths were completed, the cheers of the crowd signified new beginnings and the rich tradition of chasing the American dream.
Dipakbhai Patel, left, and his wife, Pritibala Dipakbhai Patel, natives of India, proudly stand as their country was recognized before the pair took the Oath of Allegiance Thursday. The couple live in Branson, Missouri and work in the tourism industry. They’ve waiting five years to become U.S. citizens. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Fatima and Senaid Hodzic of Bosnia stood as their country was recognized before they took the Oath of Allegiance to become American citizens Thursday. The couple now live in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Abubakar Karaye, a native of Nigeria, takes the Oath of Allegiance Thursday. Karaye is a transportation associate living in Belton, Missouri. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
The scoreboard at Kauffman Stadium commemorated the naturalization ceremony in the stands there. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Jonathan Castro, 29, a native of Ecuador, holds a flag and his citizenship documents during the naturalization ceremony at Kauffman Stadium. Castro, who works in underground construction, lives with his family in Grandview, Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Jonathan Castro, 29, center, celebrated with his family after becoming an American citizen Thursday. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Obed Byishimo, left, a native of Democratic Republic of the Congo, takes the Oath of Allegiance Thursday at Kauffman Stadium. Byishimo is a student living in Columbia, Missouri. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill A. Morris, right, speaks during a naturalization ceremony where more than 600 individuals from 95 countries became American citizens at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Abubakar Karaye, waves the American flag as his native country of Nigeria is recognized during a naturalization ceremony at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Tammy Ljungblad, at The Kansas City Star, since 1989, is a photojournalist producing videos and storytelling photographs covering a wide range of topics including the Kansas City Chiefs, breaking news, in-depth stories and personality profiles. She is also a FAA licensed drone pilot.Support my work with a digital subscription
