Human Interest

Consortium Founder Tells Newest U.S. Citizens Status is Not Enough, Hard Work Needed to Achieve American Dream

The latest naturalization ceremony in the USVI to welcome new citizens of the United States took place in the VI District Court today Wednesday. 27 of the 40 total people eligible attended the ceremony presided over by Judge Wilma A. Lewis, during which they recited the Oath of Allegiance officially for the first time before they were confirmed as citizens of the United States of America.  Judge Lewis spoke, not only of the benefits of becoming a US citizen such as the right to vote, but the duties associated with citizenship as well, such as serving on a jury.  Today’s ceremony, the first post-pandemic ceremony where candidates and officials gathered face to face in the same room, featured our very own Ernice Gilbert as keynote speaker. Gilbert, founder and publisher of the Virgin Islands Consortium, recounted his own citizenship journey which began over two decades ago. Born on the island of Dominica, Gilbert left his home country in the early 2000’s for the opportunities he says ...