Naturalization proceedings a first at Misawa

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
For the first time, U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agents visited Misawa to test prospective U.S. citizens and administer the oath of allegiance here Nov. 10 and 11.

This visit marks the end of a long road for many servicemembers and spouses who desire to be American. However, this visit almost didn't happen if it wasn't for a fast acting 35th Security Forces Squadron chief.

"We generally hold ceremonies in Japan at Camp Foster, Yokoska and Sasabo Naval Bases but, at the last minute the Yokoska ceremony was cancelled," said Francis Leigh, U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services adjudications officer.

However, as Chief Master Sergeant John Gammage, 35th SFS chief enlisted advisor, saw it this was not going to keep Misawa's residents aspiring to American citizens from realizing their dreams.

"If you look at the situation we're in Northern Japan and a lot of us had already made plans and reservations to travel to Yokoska for the ceremony, for it to be cancelled is something many of us couldn't afford," said Gammage. "So, I called Walter Haith, USHS, USCIS field office director and told him about our unique situation and he agreed to come here."

When Mr. Haith and Leigh arrived here on their two day visit, they had a busy first day of interviewing and testing 26 prospective Americans from 13 countries.

"We had prospects from Indonesia, Togo, Philippines, Panama, Ecuador, Kenya, Nigeria, Cuba, Australia, Peru, Mexico, Japan and China," said Leigh.

Plus, they had several servicemembers who were in the group representing the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corp.

"I believe the truly inspiring naturalizations are the military members," said Leigh. "They are out fighting in wars for a country without receiving the same benefits that ordinary U.S. citizens do. The citizenship that we are bestowing on them is something they have already earned and there is no one more deserving than a military member."

Completing the interview process doesn't guarantee American citizenship. All prospects are required to attend the ceremony and receive the oath of allegiance in order to be fully naturalized citizens of the United States.

"All naturalizations are memorable and Misawa's is no exception, but my most memorable naturalization was when I was the field operations director over in Guam," said Haith. After a 17 years wait from the time this applicant filed his naturalization paperwork, we were able to verify the identity of this 80 year old WWII Philippine veteran using the National Archives. He was a Filipino Scout that was an active member of the U.S. Army that fought in Bhutan. After the military surrendered he was forced to walk in the Bhatun Death March, luckily he was able to escape and for the rest of the war he acted as a guerilla fighter. We were able to naturalize him on the beach where the Marines first landed to retake Guam. That was a very memorable ceremony."

For any military member or spouse of a military member considering naturalization please contact your Military Personnel Flight or e-mail Walter Haith .

"This was one of the greatest experiences of my life, I'm so proud," said Heni Butterfield spouse of Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield, 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs NCO in charge of Media. "In Indonesia you can go to jail for saying the wrong thing. Now, I have all the rights and freedoms of an American citizen and I will protect these rights and freedoms because I know what it is like not to have them."