To celebrate Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday, 100 people become new US citizens in Plains

A crowd of people packed into the old Plains High School auditorium in Plains Tuesday to celebrate 100 foreign nationals becoming citizens, one for every year of former President Jimmy Carter’s life.

The new citizens came from more than 30 countries and traveled to Plains from across Georgia for the ceremony, which took place Tuesday on Carter’s birthday. After the ceremony, people were directed to booths outside where they could register to vote.

Organizers and staff at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park said they hoped that by holding the ceremony in honor of Carter, they could show new citizens what a great American looks like.

“He is truly someone who is about the people,” said Denise Yearby, a supervisory officer with U.S. Immigration Services in Atlanta.

A ‘model’ citizen

Carter is the oldest living former president, and the only former president to live to see 100.

Organizers said the ceremony gives new citizens the chance to see Carter’s legacy of serving his country, and represents his ideals of freedom and democracy.

“President Carter really is our model of what it is to be a citizen,” Yearby said. “What it is to give back to your country, what it is to advocate for freedom, what it is to advocate for human rights, decency and democracy.”

Nestled in the small, quiet town where Carter grew up, new citizens gathered in the early fall light afterwards to watch a flyover. Many wandered toward the strip of old brick buildings that make up downtown Plains, while others saw the church where Carter was married and the humble farmhouse where he grew up.

‘It’s a privilege’

While Carter may not have made an appearance at the ceremony, his humanitarian spirit could be felt by all.

“Jimmy Carter becomes 100 today, this is historic,” Vazquez said. “This is his home, it’s a privilege.”

A sense of pride filled the room as soon-to-be-citizens recited the oath of allegiance and the national anthem played. People whooped as they were officially declared citizens of the United States, and joined loved ones seated nearby to celebrate afterward.

Gaining citizenship can be a complicated process. To be eligible, people applying for citizenship must be at least 18, have lived in the U.S. as a green card holder for at least five years, be proficient in written and spoken English, have knowledge of U.S. history and government and be of “good moral character.”

Once they fill out their paperwork, they must complete an interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials and pass a test on U.S. government and history. If they are approved, candidates for citizenship take an oath of allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.

Jose Luise Vazquez, who lives in Macon and immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, wore a pin of Carter during the ceremony and as he took photos with his family afterward.

He said he was invited to be a part of the naturalization ceremony honoring Carter while he was interviewing for citizenship.

“It’s very emotional, very special,” Vazquez said.

Carol North, who lives in Hampton, has been in the U.S. for more than 20 years after immigrating from the United Kingdom. Her best friend, Bonnie Magyer, who is an American citizen and born in the U.S., helped her navigate the process and attended the ceremony.

North said her friends and colleagues supported her throughout the process, and planned to celebrate her that day.

“People have had parties for me and taken me out to lunch, welcoming me,” North said.

Carter’s political career from Georgia to White House

He was born in Plains on Oct. 1, 1924. He grew up on a farm in the unincorporated community of Archery just outside of the town.

Carter was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and graduated in 1946. He married Rosalynn Smith, who he grew up with, after his graduation and received a naval commission.

After his father’s death in 1953, Carter left the Navy to come back to Plains and take over the family’s peanut business. He quickly assumed his father’s mantle as a leader in the community, which led him to run for and win a seat in the state Senate in 1962. He eventually was elected Georgia governor in 1970.

In 1976, Carter, a Democrat, beat incumbent Republican Gerald Ford for the White House. While president, Carter created the Department of Energy and the Department of Education, successfully pursued the Camp David Accords which achieved peace between Israel and Egypt, and oversaw the second round of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, which limit the number of nuclear arms in the U.S. and U.S.S.R.’s arsenals during the Cold War.

However, the final years of his presidency were marked by international crises that caused many Americans to lose faith in his leadership. He lost his reelection bid against Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980 and returned to Georgia.

Despite the loss, Carter was determined to make a difference in the world. He founded the Carter Center in Atlanta with his wife in 1982. The center is based in Atlanta and works to promote peace, human rights and global health.

Since its inception, the Carter Center has worked to monitor elections, resolve global conflicts, research and fight infectious diseases and promote mental health care.

Carter has also been a major supporter of Habitat for Humanity, a Georgia-based philanthropy that builds houses for people in need.

Carter received the Nobel Prize in 2002 for his work advancing peace and democracy around the world. He is the second Georgian to win the award, alongside Martin Luther King Jr.

This story was originally published October 2, 2024 at 1:08 PM.