Photo credit: Jamaica Information Service
Thirty individuals took the Oath of Allegiance as new citizens of Jamaica during a special ceremony hosted by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) on Wednesday.
The Gleaner reports that the group comprises 12 women, 13 men and five children. They hail from countries such as Myanmar, Russia, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Italy, Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and the United States.
Addressing the citizenship ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr Horace Chang, welcomed the new citizens to the Jamaican family.
He noted that the individuals, representing 14 nationalities, truly reflect the county’s enduring commitment to unity in keeping the national motto, “Out of Many, One People”.
Chang encouraged the new citizens to embrace both the privileges and responsibilities of their new status.
He noted that citizenship provides the right to participate fully in Jamaica’s democracy while requiring citizens to respect the rule of law, uphold honesty and integrity, care for their communities, protect the environment and contribute positively to national life.
Chief Executive Officer of PICA, Garth Williams, told the group that they are now full members of the Jamaican family.
Williams encouraged the new citizens to fully embrace their new identity.
Speaking on behalf of the new citizens, Yanesty Cuellar Tamargo expressed gratitude for the warm welcome they had received.
“Today, those journeys have brought us together as we broadly embrace Jamaica as our home. This ceremony marks an important milestone in our lives. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to become citizens of this beautiful nation and to contribute to its future,” she said.
