English subtitles for clip: File:President Obama Speaks at a Naturalization Ceremony for Servicemembers.webm
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1 00:00:01,033 --> 00:00:02,403 The President: Well, good afternoon. 2 00:00:02,400 --> 00:00:04,000 Annyeonghaseyo. 3 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:06,800 It is an honor to be here 4 00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:10,370 at the War Memorial of Korea. 5 00:00:10,367 --> 00:00:13,867 In a few moments, I'll lay a wreath to pay tribute 6 00:00:13,867 --> 00:00:16,397 to our servicemembers who've given their lives 7 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:18,170 in defense of our freedom. 8 00:00:18,166 --> 00:00:20,196 And tomorrow, I'll address our troops 9 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:24,330 and civilians at Yongsan Garrison. 10 00:00:24,333 --> 00:00:27,063 I have said before, I have no higher 11 00:00:27,066 --> 00:00:30,666 honor than serving as your Commander-in-Chief. 12 00:00:30,667 --> 00:00:34,067 And today, I can think of no higher privilege 13 00:00:34,066 --> 00:00:37,836 than being here with all of you and your families 14 00:00:37,834 --> 00:00:42,764 for this special moment -- becoming the newest citizens 15 00:00:42,767 --> 00:00:47,297 of the world's oldest constitutional democracy. 16 00:00:47,300 --> 00:00:49,170 I know that each of you have traveled 17 00:00:49,166 --> 00:00:51,596 your own path to this moment. 18 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:54,000 You come from 14 different countries. 19 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:58,770 Some of you have called Seoul home. 20 00:00:58,767 --> 00:01:02,337 But a day came when each one of you did something 21 00:01:02,333 --> 00:01:05,503 extraordinary: Thirteen of you made 22 00:01:05,500 --> 00:01:08,370 the profound decision to put on the uniform 23 00:01:08,367 --> 00:01:11,867 of a country that was not yet fully your own. 24 00:01:11,867 --> 00:01:15,167 Seven of you married an American soldier -- 25 00:01:15,166 --> 00:01:18,236 and as a military spouse, that means you've been 26 00:01:18,233 --> 00:01:21,003 serving our country, too. 27 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:24,930 If there's anything that this should teach 28 00:01:24,934 --> 00:01:30,104 us, it's that America is strengthened 29 00:01:30,100 --> 00:01:31,770 by our immigrants. 30 00:01:31,767 --> 00:01:36,267 I had a chance to talk to our Ambassador 31 00:01:36,266 --> 00:01:42,666 and our Commander here, and I said to them that there's 32 00:01:42,667 --> 00:01:47,697 no greater strength, no greater essence of America 33 00:01:47,700 --> 00:01:51,030 than the fact that we attract people from 34 00:01:51,033 --> 00:01:53,503 all around the world who want to be part 35 00:01:53,500 --> 00:01:54,770 of our democracy. 36 00:01:54,767 --> 00:01:58,467 We are a nation of immigrants -- 37 00:01:58,467 --> 00:02:02,467 people from every corner, every walk of life, 38 00:02:02,467 --> 00:02:05,797 who picked up tools to help build our country, 39 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:09,170 who started up businesses to advance our country, 40 00:02:09,166 --> 00:02:14,966 who took up arms to defend our country. 41 00:02:14,967 --> 00:02:17,367 What makes us Americans is something more 42 00:02:17,367 --> 00:02:24,167 than just the circumstances of birth, what we look like, 43 00:02:24,166 --> 00:02:27,536 what God we worship, but rather it 44 00:02:27,533 --> 00:02:30,233 is a joyful spirit of citizenship. 45 00:02:30,233 --> 00:02:34,963 Citizenship demands participation 46 00:02:34,967 --> 00:02:37,937 and responsibility, and service 47 00:02:37,934 --> 00:02:41,534 to our country and to one another. 48 00:02:41,533 --> 00:02:44,163 And few embody that more than our men 49 00:02:44,166 --> 00:02:46,166 and women in uniform. 50 00:02:47,300 --> 00:02:49,630 If we want to keep attracting the best 51 00:02:49,633 --> 00:02:52,163 and the brightest, the smartest 52 00:02:52,166 --> 00:02:56,536 and the most selfless the world has to offer, 53 00:02:56,533 --> 00:02:59,203 then we have to keep this in mind: 54 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:03,170 the value of our immigrants to our way of life. 55 00:03:03,166 --> 00:03:08,096 It is central to who we are; it's in our DNA. 56 00:03:08,100 --> 00:03:11,330 It's part of our creed. 57 00:03:11,333 --> 00:03:12,903 And that means moving forward we've got 58 00:03:12,900 --> 00:03:16,070 to fix our broken immigration system 59 00:03:16,066 --> 00:03:19,166 and pass common-sense immigration reform. 60 00:03:19,166 --> 00:03:21,796 This is a huge advantage to us -- 61 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:24,430 the talent that we attract. 62 00:03:24,433 --> 00:03:25,433 We don't want to make it harder; 63 00:03:25,433 --> 00:03:31,203 we want to make it more sensible, more efficient. 64 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:33,700 That's why I'm going to keep on pushing 65 00:03:33,700 --> 00:03:37,100 to get this done this year, so that others like 66 00:03:37,100 --> 00:03:39,600 the young men and women here have the opportunity 67 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:44,270 to join our American family and serve our great nation. 68 00:03:44,266 --> 00:03:47,766 Today, I'm thrilled that, in a few moments, 69 00:03:47,767 --> 00:03:52,397 I'll get to call each of you my fellow Americans. 70 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:55,270 I am so proud to be sharing 71 00:03:55,266 --> 00:03:57,096 this stage with you today. 72 00:03:57,100 --> 00:03:58,730 Congratulations. 73 00:03:58,734 --> 00:04:01,864 But I don't want to talk too long because 74 00:04:01,867 --> 00:04:04,167 I'm not the main event. 75 00:04:04,166 --> 00:04:06,166 Thank you very much for your service. 76 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:10,270 (applause) 77 00:04:10,266 --> 00:04:12,396 Male Speaker: Ladies and gentleman, please welcome 78 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:15,100 Walter Haith, United States Citizenship and 79 00:04:15,100 --> 00:04:17,770 Immigration Service Field Office Director 80 00:04:17,767 --> 00:04:19,737 to present the candidates. 81 00:04:32,700 --> 00:04:35,230 Walter Haith: Thank you Mr. President. 82 00:04:35,233 --> 00:04:40,133 Deputy Director Daum, it is my honor to present 20 83 00:04:40,133 --> 00:04:43,263 candidates for naturalization from 84 00:04:43,266 --> 00:04:45,496 14 different countries. 85 00:04:45,500 --> 00:04:48,770 Each of them have been examined by a USCIS 86 00:04:48,767 --> 00:04:51,967 officer, and has been found to be of good moral 87 00:04:51,967 --> 00:04:55,097 character, and attached to the principles of the 88 00:04:55,100 --> 00:04:57,930 constitution of the United States. 89 00:04:57,934 --> 00:05:00,934 Each of them has been found to be eligible in 90 00:05:00,934 --> 00:05:04,434 every respect for United States citizenship. 91 00:05:04,433 --> 00:05:09,103 I request therefor that you administer the oath of 92 00:05:09,100 --> 00:05:10,600 allegiance on behalf 93 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,170 of the United States government. 94 00:05:15,100 --> 00:05:16,470 Male Speaker: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome 95 00:05:16,467 --> 00:05:19,137 Robert Daum, United States Citizenship and 96 00:05:19,133 --> 00:05:21,733 Immigration Service Deputy District Director for Asia 97 00:05:21,734 --> 00:05:24,834 Pacific to administer the oath of allegiance. 98 00:05:33,266 --> 00:05:35,536 Robert Daum: Candidates for citizenship, please 99 00:05:35,533 --> 00:05:39,163 raise your right hand, and repeat after me. 100 00:05:39,166 --> 00:05:41,736 I hereby declare under oath. 101 00:05:41,734 --> 00:05:43,564 Audience: I hereby declare under oath. 102 00:05:43,567 --> 00:05:45,697 Robert Daum: That I absolutely and entirely. 103 00:05:45,700 --> 00:05:48,000 Audience: That I absolutely and entirely. 104 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:49,400 Robert Daum: Renounce and abjure. 105 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:51,170 Audience: Renounce and abjure. 106 00:05:51,166 --> 00:05:53,296 Robert Daum: All allegiance and fidelity. 107 00:05:53,300 --> 00:05:55,330 Audience: All allegiance and fidelity. 108 00:05:55,333 --> 00:05:57,003 Robert Daum: To any foreign prince. 109 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:58,470 Audience: To any foreign prince. 110 00:05:58,467 --> 00:05:59,237 Robert Daum: Potentate. 111 00:05:59,233 --> 00:06:00,533 Audience: Potentate. 112 00:06:00,533 --> 00:06:02,133 Robert Daum: State or sovereignty. 113 00:06:02,133 --> 00:06:04,003 Audience: State or Sovereignty. 114 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:05,200 Robert Daum: Of whom or which. 115 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:07,000 Audience: Of whom or which. 116 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:08,270 Robert Daum: I have heretofore. 117 00:06:08,266 --> 00:06:09,666 Audience: I have heretofore. 118 00:06:09,667 --> 00:06:11,297 Robert Daum: Been a subject of citizen. 119 00:06:11,300 --> 00:06:13,130 Audience: Been a subject or citizen. 120 00:06:13,133 --> 00:06:14,863 Robert Daum: That I will support and defend. 121 00:06:14,867 --> 00:06:16,667 Audience: That I will support and defend. 122 00:06:16,667 --> 00:06:18,537 Robert Daum: The constitution and laws. 123 00:06:18,533 --> 00:06:20,463 Audience: The constitution and laws. 124 00:06:20,467 --> 00:06:22,267 Robert Daum: Of the United States of America. 125 00:06:22,266 --> 00:06:22,536 Audience: Of the United States of America. 126 00:06:22,533 --> 00:06:23,733 Robert Daum: Against all enemies. 127 00:06:23,734 --> 00:06:25,964 Audience: Against all enemies. 128 00:06:25,967 --> 00:06:28,897 Robert Daum: Foreign and domestic. 129 00:06:28,900 --> 00:06:30,000 Audience: Foreign and Domestic. 130 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:31,300 Robert Daum: That I will bear true faith 131 00:06:31,300 --> 00:06:32,830 Audience: That I will bear true faith. 132 00:06:32,834 --> 00:06:33,634 Robert Daum: And allegiance. 133 00:06:33,633 --> 00:06:34,633 Audience: And Allegiance. 134 00:06:34,633 --> 00:06:35,503 Robert Daum: To the same. 135 00:06:35,500 --> 00:06:36,330 Audience: To the same. 136 00:06:36,333 --> 00:06:37,433 Robert Daum: That I will bear arms. 137 00:06:37,433 --> 00:06:38,863 Audience: That I will bear arms. 138 00:06:38,867 --> 00:06:40,597 Robert Daum: On behalf of the United States. 139 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:42,530 Audience: On behalf of the United States. 140 00:06:42,533 --> 00:06:43,833 Robert Daum: When required by the law. 141 00:06:43,834 --> 00:06:45,404 Audience: When required by the law. 142 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:46,370 Robert Daum: That I will perform. 143 00:06:46,367 --> 00:06:47,567 Audience: That I will perform. 144 00:06:47,567 --> 00:06:48,967 Robert Daum: Noncombatant service. 145 00:06:48,967 --> 00:06:50,597 Audience: Noncombatant service. 146 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:51,730 Robert Daum: In the armed forces. 147 00:06:51,734 --> 00:06:53,104 Audience: In the armed forces. 148 00:06:53,100 --> 00:06:54,330 Robert Daum: Of the United States. 149 00:06:54,333 --> 00:06:55,733 Audience: Of the United States. 150 00:06:55,734 --> 00:06:57,164 Robert Daum: When required by the law. 151 00:06:57,166 --> 00:06:58,536 Audience: When required by the law. 152 00:06:58,533 --> 00:06:59,463 Robert Daum: That I will perform. 153 00:06:59,467 --> 00:07:00,897 Audience: That I will perform. 154 00:07:00,900 --> 00:07:02,730 Robert Daum: Work of national importance. 155 00:07:02,734 --> 00:07:04,534 Audience: Work of national importance. 156 00:07:04,533 --> 00:07:06,063 Robert Daum: Under civilian direction. 157 00:07:06,066 --> 00:07:07,736 Audience: Under civilian direction. 158 00:07:07,734 --> 00:07:09,134 Robert Daum: When required by the law. 159 00:07:09,133 --> 00:07:10,533 Audience: When required by the law. 160 00:07:10,533 --> 00:07:11,803 Robert Daum: And that I take 161 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:13,030 this obligation freely. 162 00:07:13,033 --> 00:07:15,203 Audience: And that I take this obligation freely. 163 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:17,030 Robert Daum: Without any mental reservation. 164 00:07:17,033 --> 00:07:18,903 Audience: Without any mental reservation. 165 00:07:18,900 --> 00:07:20,700 Robert Daum: Or purpose of evasion. 166 00:07:20,700 --> 00:07:21,900 Audience: Or purpose of evasion. 167 00:07:21,900 --> 00:07:22,770 Robert Daum: So help me god. 168 00:07:22,767 --> 00:07:24,167 Audience: So help me god. 169 00:07:24,166 --> 00:07:26,196 Audience: Congratulations, you are the newest citizens 170 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:27,800 of the United States of America. 171 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:34,100 (applause)