Two female immigrants said they did not know that their naturalization ceremony, making them official United States citizens, would be aired at the Republican National Convention Tuesday, the Hill reports.
What We Know:
- Sudha Narayanan and Neimat Awadelseid first told the Wall Street Journal Wednesday that they were unaware that the ceremony would be used as a political prop. They also added that they were not told until minutes before that President Trump would be attending.
- The ceremony, which took place at the White House, was used in Tuesday night’s Republican National Convention, an event that the president has been featured in many times.
- Awadelseid, a substitute teacher originating from Sudan, recalls signing a media waiver but described herself as not being “a political person”. The event, she noted, was a big moment in her life and brings her closer to her dreams of sending her children to American universities. “I’m excited to have rights as every citizen in the United States,” she continued.
- Narayanan was also looking forward to her new future as an American citizen. “We were just happy it was happening in a special place,” Ms. Narayanan said. “It was just a happy moment that I was cherishing with my husband”. She added that, “This is a very great honor that the United States has extended to me.”
- The event was most likely used as a means for the Trump administration, often scrutinized for immigration policy, to show their continued support for legal naturalization.
- Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden responded to the news on Twitter, shaming the president for his political stunt.
Immigrants are not your political props, Mr. President. https://t.co/GDR6FLvTKe
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 27, 2020
The final night of the RNC was Thursday evening where President Trump took to the convention stage, again, to address his supports and boast of a successful first term.
