local
At St. Paul naturalization ceremony, new citizens add their voices to American story
By Kathleen Fenske and Chen May Yee at Sahan Journal
· July 2, 2026
· 5 min read
In these tumultuous times, the naturalization ceremony — where immigrants take the oath and become newly-minted citizens — has become even more imbued with meaning.
In late June, about 100 people from around the world now residing in Minnesota walked into a courthouse in St. Paul to pledge all...
Key takeaway They came from Argentina, from Cuba, from Ukraine, from North Macedonia, from Guyana, from Egypt, from Switzerland, from South Korea, from India and beyond — 25 countries in all.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The naturalization ceremony in St. Paul is a significant event for the Twin Cities community, as it welcomes new citizens from diverse backgrounds. For Minneapolis residents, this ceremony is a reminder that their city is part of a larger metropolitan area that is increasingly global in nature. The fact that new citizens like Victoria Alberto, a nurse from the Philippines, and Nutifafa Yakor, a financial consultant from Ghana, are settling in surrounding cities like Brooklyn Park and Mound, highlights the regional impact of immigration. As these new citizens exercise their right to vote and participate in the community, they will likely engage with Minneapolis' own immigrant communities, contributing to the city's cultural and economic fabric. The stories of Alberto, Yakor, and others like Sergio Espinoza, a construction worker from Guatemala, demonstrate the complexities and opportunities that come with immigration, and underscore the importance of inclusive policies and community support in the Twin Cities.
About this story
Original reporting by Sahan Journal . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Sahan Journal . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: Sahan Journal ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? In these tumultuous times, the naturalization ceremony — where immigrants take the oath and become newly-minted citizens — has become even more imbued with meaning.
In late June, about 100 people from around the world now residing in Minnesota walked into a courthouse in St. Paul to pledge all...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by Sahan Journal and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kathleen Fenske and Chen May Yee at Sahan Journal. To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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