Forty-two hands were raised. And when they were lowered, the United States had 42 brand new citizens.

In a naturalization ceremony at the Clinton Presidential Library – where former President Bill Clinton would later speak – 42 people from 19 countries who had completed a months-long process during which they learned English as well as some history, government and civics, took the final step on Friday by taking the Oath of Allegiance.

At that point, the more than 250 people crowded into the ballroom stood in unison to give the new citizens a standing ovation.

The joyous event was wrapped inside a judicial setting with United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky presiding. He said he was aware that no one in the audience – including his family – had any interest in hearing him speak but said that, as a judge, he sometimes sees people on their worst days. “In overseeing a naturalization ceremony, we get to see the best day of a person’s life,” he said.

Former President Bill Clinton urged the newly minted U.S. citizens to help one another along life’s journey. Credit: Brian Chilson

Rudofsky said the 42 inductees included two sets of siblings and a mother-son pair. The judge said the grandfather of a Girl Scout, who was with her troop delivering letters to the new citizens, had become naturalized in 1979. “And two generations later, you’re helping us welcome these new citizens,” he said to the Scout in thanking her.

Rudofsky turned more serious, saying America is a rough-and-tumble society where people argue, debate and protest on every issue. “But what we say matters,” he said. “We the people get to decide, and that’s a very precious thing. You are now part of that legacy.”

A fit-looking Clinton then implored the 42 to accommodate other people’s differences as they work to coexist with one another.

“Take advantage of those differences without being torn apart by them,” he said.

Newly naturalized citizens listen as former President Bill Clinton speaks. Credit: Brian Chilson

Clinton said the United States is now the longest continuously functioning democracy that has ever existed.

“From the beginnings of human history, we’ve had to learn to get along with people without killing each other,” Clinton said. The challenge, he said, is to be able to “look at people who are different than us and see ourselves and our loved ones in their eyes.”

He said he liked history in high school and really liked math because there were ways to make sure a problem was answered correctly.

“We are dealing with a lot of problems today and we’ve got to figure out a way forward,” Clinton said. “It’s not like a math problem with one clear answer.”

The 42nd president concluded by asking the new citizens not to forget that others now need their help.

“Be kind to those who are different,” he said. “Remember how you came to this day, and help others make a similar journey.”

Several dignitaries and elected officials were also in attendance, including 2nd District Congressman French Hill (R-Little Rock), his Democratic opponent Chris Jones and Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.

Patricia Diaz Fonseca smiles after becoming a U.S. citizen. Her husband Juan is also in the process of being naturalized. Credit: Brian Chilson

One of the new citizens, Patricia Diaz Fonseca, hurried to her husband, Juan, and their 4-year-old son Leandro, after a group photo was taken with Clinton. She gave the two big hugs as they all celebrated her accomplishment.

Patricia, 28, said it had taken her about six months to complete the naturalization work and that she saw the ceremony as “a big step” in her and her family’s future in the United States. Juan, 29, said he and his wife had registered at the same time to go through the naturalization process but that his wife was faster than him. 

Patricia, who has been in the United States since she was 11, said she has two sisters who had already been naturalized and two other sisters and a brother who are in the process of being naturalized. They will all have dual citizenship with Mexico where they are all from.

Clinton said “this is still a great country,” but it was hard to look at Leandro and not consider that, if the Trump Administration gets its way and is able to deny birthright citizenship to those who were born in the United States but whose parents were not citizens, the 4-year-old could be expelled from the country some day.