On Tuesday, 50 people from various parts of the world renounced their home country's citizenship to become American citizens.
As reported by Pacific Daily News, some Kenyans were among the 50 persons who recited the Pledge of Allegiance, a requirement for acquiring American citizenship.
The Kenyans took the naturalisation path towards citizenship with the ceremony conducted at the District Court of Guam in Hagatna.
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, State, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen, so help me God," the Kenyans swore cutting ties with their motherland.
In addition to Kenyans, persons from Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, and Guyana also obtained US citizenship.
Others were from the Federated States of Micronesia, Philippines, and Palau.
The top benefit of becoming a United States citizen is that the Kenyans will now be protected from deportation.
Certain criminal convictions can get you deported if you are a permanent resident or asylum seeker which cannot happen if you acquire citizenship.
“Children under the age of 18 who are lawful permanent residents automatically become U.S. citizens when their parents naturalise,” the US states another advantage of gaining citizenship.
Other advantages the Kenyans will enjoy include; eligibility for government jobs, the right to vote as well as freedom to travel.
Noteworthy, the new American citizens will now be able to file immigration petitions with the government to reunite with family members.
When travelling outside the United States, the new citizens will be entitled to seek protection from American embassies and consulates in case of a personal tragedy or civil unrest in the country they are visiting.
