Opinion

Johnny Rustywire: Native-born at a ceremony for new US citizens





"There was a small white envelope waiting for me when I got home. It was a subpoena, and it said be at the Federal Court Building at 8 a.m. and don't be late or else bad things will happen. So, I went.

The federal court building is a magnificent granite edifice. The courtroom was all mahogany, quiet and stately.

I sat there waiting while the preliminaries were done. The case was going to go a couple of days. Lawyer types dressed in pristine white shirts and black suits waved me over.

“We will probably need you,” they said, “but since you are a witness you will have to wait outside the courtroom. Don't wander off, don't go anywhere.” I went outside and stood in the hallway. White marble walls, cold and quiet.

The hallway began to fill with people of different shapes and colors, from nations like Iran, China, Sweden, Thailand, Mexico and a lot more. I saw a sign on a door. “Citizenship Ceremony at 1 p.m., assemble here.”"

Get the Story:
Johnny Rustywire: Native-Born (Indian Country Today 1/7)

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