MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, S.D. – Rose Wah came to the U.S. at the age of 8 to join her father who had immigrated to Sioux Falls from the West African country of Liberia.
Wah graduated from Roosevelt High School and earned a nursing degree from South Dakota State University in 2024. She now works as a pediatric nurse at the Lifescape Children’s Services clinic in Sioux Falls.
As of Oct. 2, Wah now holds a new title — that of American citizen.
“I feel good and will now have the perks and privilege of being a citizen, especially in terms of travel,” said Wah, 23.
Wah was one of 72 people from 34 counties who were granted legal American citizenship during a naturalization ceremony Thursday at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
It took place amid a government shutdown that – so far – has not affected critical operations at the Black Hills memorial. The site hosts naturalization ceremonies at least annually.
The celebration also occurred at a time when the nation is witnessing an aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration ordered by President Donald Trump and largely being led by former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, now the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Wah said she believes immigrants who come to America, either legally like her family or illegally like some others, share the dream of having opportunities they do not have in their home countries. Wah said she likely wouldn't have been able to drive a car, go to college and become a nurse if she stayed in Liberia.
“People are bringing their children because they want a better life for their kids, which is what my dad did when he brought us here,” she said. “He wanted us to have a better future and better education.”
Sympathy for illegal immigrants seeking opportunity
Wah said she sympathizes with people who come to the country illegally because she understands their motives, even if she doesn’t approve of their methods.
“I kind of understand their path, but I also don’t understand doing it in an illegal way,” she said. “It does make me sad how people are being treated.”
The ceremony featured brief speeches by several elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, Gov. Larry Rhoden and Noem.
The ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration was never mentioned during the event, which carried a sense of joy and appreciation among those present.
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Rhoden told the new citizens and their family members that it is incumbent on Americans to fight if necessary to protect the country and the freedoms it provides. He also pointed to legal paths to citizenship as the proper way to become an American.
"It is often said that America is a nation of immigrants, but that's not the whole story," Rhoden said. "We're a nation of immigrants who did it the right way."
In her remarks, Noem said that "this is a fantastic time to become a citizen," stressing to those present that American leaders have historically put the needs of the country and its people above their own interests.
"Our founders knew that a government of the people was the best form of government," Noem said. "They sacrificed their own wealth, their own well being, to defeat the British empire in the American revolution. And they didn't do it for wealth, they didn't do it for power and they didn't do it for glory. Men like (George) Washington and (Thomas) Jefferson did it because they knew they had a duty to ensure freedom for their families but also for their fellow citizens."
Noem: U.S. a republic, not a monarchy
She told the new citizens that the founders of the U.S. "knew that this nation would be difficult to maintain."
Noem told how a woman approached Benjamin Franklin after the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and asked, "'Well, doctor, what have we got, a Republic or a monarchy?' and he said, 'A Republic, if you can keep it,"' Noem said. "That is our task in front of us today."
Near the end of the ceremony, each new citizen briefly took the stage to state their name, nation of origin and where they live now. Noem hugged some of them and kissed at least one new resident on the cheek.
Hung Vong, 19, a financial services student at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, was the first to receive his formal citizenship document from Noem.
Vong, a native of Vietnam, said he came to Spearfish at the age of 14 to be with his mother and grandparents, who opened a hair and nail salon in the city a decade ago. Vong was bubbly about the prospect of being an American citizen.
"It's really exciting because I feel like all my hard work is paying off," he said.
Vong said he supports legal immigration for others who can support the U.S. and its economy. "I hope to take this opportunity to improve myself and contribute to helping make America greater."
Brunelle Solo, 30, came to the U.S. from the Ivory Coast in West Africa in 2021 to join her husband, Sheva Solo, who had emigrated from the country to Deadwood with his parents in 2008.
Brunelle and Sheva, 35, now live with their three children in Sioux Falls, where Sheva works in information technology for Avera Health.
"I came to America to marry my best friend," Brunelle said with a smile. "I knew the U.S. was a place of freedom, and I think I will now have the best experience in my life with my family and my kids."
This story was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit organization. Read more stories and donate at sdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email to get stories when they're published. Contact Bart Pfankuch at bart.pfankuch@sdnewswatch.org.
