Good day to become an American

The 50 people who entered the large white tent set up in the restored gardens of the 18th Century Paca House in downtown Annapolis yesterday were citizens of 31 countries around the globe.

When they departed an hour later, they were all Americans.

Under the tent's canopy, lined with yards of sheer fabric, Gregory L. Collett, the district director of the Department of Homeland Security U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Baltimore District Office, raised his right hand at 9:45 a.m. In response, 50 more shot up to swear the oath of allegiance.

The faces of those excited new citizens resembled a "gorgeous...