Antony Blinken welcomes new citizens to US in Philadelphia

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken administered the oath of allegiance to two dozen candidates for U.S. citizenship in Philadelphia on Wednesday

The candidates came to the U.S. from 17 countries, including Iraq, Ukraine, Russia, China and Nepal.  Blinken told the group, "Let me be one of the first lucky people to say, welcome home, my fellow Americans."

Blinken recounted his own family story of coming to the United States, saying his grandfather fled repression in 19th century Russia, his stepmother fled communism in Hungary and his stepfather was liberated from a German concentration camp by an American GI.

"Throughout our nation's history, we have been enriched time and again by the contributions of immigrants and their children," he said.

"You are now partners in the great unfinished work of making this country better for more of its people, especially those who will come after you.

He also said that some of most successful and best known companies, such as Apple, Google and AT&T were started by immigrants.

"In my own department, the State Department, those with immigrant roots are leading vital parts of our foreign policy every single day," he said.

Image: AP