Amid escalating immigration crackdown, citizenship ceremony in Portland brings a flood of relief

Amid escalating immigration crackdown, citizenship ceremony in Portland brings a flood of relief

In a stately federal courtroom in Portland, a naturalization ceremony on Friday, June 27 had the boisterous energy of a sold out concert. Instead of a rock star on a stage, though, it was Chief U.S. District Judge Lance Walker, presiding from the bench. “This is a very active crowd, I love this crowd!” Walker remarked after one of several uproarious rounds of applause. “I don’t want this ceremony to end.” For new citizens, including the 28 at th…