Forty-Nine New Americans Sworn In at Lexington's Historic Battle Green
In a deeply symbolic ceremony on a picture-perfect spring morning, forty-nine individuals from across the globe took the Oath of Allegiance to become United States citizens on Lexington's Battle Green, the very birthplace of the American Revolution. The event, held on Tuesday, 22 April 2026, marked the second naturalization ceremony to be conducted on this hallowed ground, following the inaugural event held during the 250th-anniversary celebrations of the Revolutionary War.
A Ceremony Steeped in History and Symbolism
Steve Cole, the 76th Captain Commanding of the Lexington Minute Men, addressed the new citizens, stating, "No matter where you come from, here you belong." Cole, who annually portrays Captain John Parker in reenactments of the first battle of the American Revolution on that same patch of grass, wore the traditional blue wool coat and tricorn hat of the Minute Men. The ceremony was administered by U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul G. Levenson, who emphasized the foundational nature of the oath, declaring, "You do not take an oath of allegiance to any person, to any political party, or even to any state or local government. Your oath is to the Constitution."
A Tapestry of Global Origins
The origins of the forty-nine new citizens, read aloud during the ceremony, represented a near-complete span of the alphabet and underscored the diverse fabric of modern American immigration. The list included individuals from Algeria, Argentina, Belarus, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Israel, Jamaica, South Korea, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam. There were two new citizens each from China, the Dominican Republic, Spain, and Taiwan; three each from Brazil, France, Germany, Guatemala, and the United Kingdom; five from India; and seven from Canada.
Personal Journeys to Citizenship
Among those sworn in was Oscar Morales, a 27-year-old from Waltham, Massachusetts, who arrived from Guatemala as a teenager. Now a graduate of UMass Boston working as a bartender, Morales expressed profound gratitude, stating, "I'm very grateful and lucky to be a citizen of the U.S." He was accompanied by a dozen friends from high school and college.
Xuemei, a sociology professor at Bentley University who declined to give her full surname, wore a bright red dress for the occasion. Having come to the U.S. from northern China for graduate school, she remarked, "I loved the ceremony, loved the speeches. It's an important moment."
Filipe dos Santos, from Malden by way of Brazil, is currently serving in the U.S. Army. He shared his excitement about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, saying, "To be part of the Constitution, to be able to vote—it's really amazing."
Reflecting Lexington's Evolving Community
The ceremony also highlighted the evolving demographics of Lexington itself. At the time of the Revolution, the town's population was predominantly of English descent, with a mix of free and enslaved Black residents, including at least two who fought in the famous battle. Today, approximately one-third of Lexington's residents are Asian American, with significant Chinese, Indian, and Korean communities. Notably, the annual Minute Men reenactment now includes at least one Chinese American participant.
Vineeta Kumar, a naturalized citizen originally from India who last year was elected as the first person of color to Lexington's Select Board, offered remarks at the ceremony. She stated, "As we gather here on the historic Battle Green, the birthplace of the American Revolution, we are reminded that this nation was born from extraordinary courage and a belief in the promise of liberty, justice, and equal opportunity for all. Today you become part of that living legacy."
A Continuing Tradition of Meaning
Steve Cole, whose wife is originally from Mexico, expressed his hope that she might be among the new citizens at a future ceremony on the Green. Reflecting on the location's significance, he told The Lexington Observer, "I can't think of a more meaningful place to hold this ceremony. Captain Parker would be very proud." The event, originally published by The Lexington Observer and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press, stands as a powerful testament to the enduring ideals upon which the nation was founded.
