Indianapolis, Indiana – In a ceremony filled with applause, relief, and a quiet sense of history, nearly 100 new Americans took their oath of citizenship inside the Indiana Statehouse on Thursday morning. The marble halls, usually home to legislative debates and daily government routines, took on a different atmosphere as families, friends, and newcomers gathered for a moment many had spent years working toward. Presiding over the event as keynote speaker was Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales, who approached the podium not just as a constitutional officer, but as someone who once stood in the same position as the day’s honorees.
Morales, himself a naturalized U.S. citizen, delivered a message that blended personal reflection with encouragement, speaking directly to the hopes and challenges shared by those in attendance. His story — from arriving in the United States as an immigrant to becoming Indiana’s 63rd Secretary of State — added a deeper dimension to his words. “It is an honor to serve as your 63rd Secretary of State of Indiana and to celebrate this milestone with you. As a fellow naturalized citizen, I understand the significance of this achievement. Like many of you, I came to this country with a dream — to work hard, contribute, and give back to a nation that gave my family and I so much. Today, you officially become part of the American story,” said Diego Morales, Indiana Secretary of State.
The new citizens represented a wide range of backgrounds and countries of origin, but all shared the same path toward residency, testing, interviews, and the final oath that makes the long journey complete. Morales reminded them that their achievement does not end with the certificate they received. As the state’s Chief Election Officer, he emphasized the importance of civic engagement, underscoring that voting is both a right and a responsibility newly available to them.
Morales’s remarks highlighted the importance of not only embracing life in the United States, but also participating fully in the democratic processes that guide it. He spoke about his own experience navigating the naturalization system and the pride that came with finally being able to cast a ballot. He noted that both he and his wife became American citizens after building their lives in the United States, and the transition from immigrant to voter to statewide officeholder shaped his understanding of the larger civic picture.
Following the ceremony, the Secretary of State’s Office extended the celebration into action. Staff members set up a voter registration table just outside the office door, offering incoming citizens a chance to sign up on the same day they earned the right to do so. Many paused to ask questions about elections, identification rules, and state services, while others took informational materials to begin their involvement in their new communities. For Morales, helping these citizens register was more than a procedural step — it was a continuation of the message he delivered from the stage.
“Your journey has only just begun. I have no doubt that you will continue to make a positive impact on this great nation. Welcome to the most exceptional country, the United States of America — and thank you for choosing the Hoosier State,” said Diego Morales, Indiana Secretary of State.
The ceremony concluded with handshakes, photographs, and clusters of families celebrating in multiple languages. The official photographs, approved for public use, captured the excitement that filled the Statehouse corridors — a visual reminder that every citizenship ceremony marks a new chapter not only for the individuals involved but for the communities they join.
