New citizens naturalized during ceremony inside Mammoth Cave
Published 10:44 am Friday, April 25, 2025
Twenty-nine individuals repeat the Oath of Allegiance after United States Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl as they are sworn in as United States citizens in Mammoth Cave’s Methodist Church during a Naturalization Ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Twenty-nine individuals repeat the Oath of Allegiance after United States Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl as they are sworn in as United States citizens in Mammoth Cave’s Methodist Church during a Naturalization Ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Dhaval Patel, originally from India, waves his American flag as he follows nearly 30 other individuals in the Historic Entrance of Mammoth Cave to the cave’s Methodist Church opening to be sworn in as a United States citizens during a Naturalization Ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Nearly 30 individuals listen to United States Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl speak before swearing them in as United States citizens in Mammoth Cave’s Methodist Church during a Naturalization Ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
United States Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl speaks before swearing in 29 individuals as United States citizens in Mammoth Cave’s Methodist Church during a Naturalization Ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Mammoth Cave National Park Park Superintendent Barclay Trimble speaks to the 29 individuals being sworn in as United States citizens in Cave’s Methodist Church during a Naturalization Ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Twenty-nine individuals say the Pledge of Allegiance as they are sworn in as United States citizens in Mammoth Cave’s Methodist Church during a Naturalization Ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
United States Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl speaks before swearing in 29 individuals as United States citizens in Mammoth Cave’s Methodist Church during a Naturalization Ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Twenty-nine individuals receive their naturalization certificates as new United States citizens from United States Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl during a Naturalization Ceremony in Mammoth Cave’s Methodist Church on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Nearly 30 individuals hold their American flags as they listen to United States Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl speak before swearing them in as United States citizens in Mammoth Cave’s Methodist Church during a Naturalization Ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Twenty-nine individuals receive their naturalization certificates as new United States citizens from United States Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl during a Naturalization Ceremony in Mammoth Cave’s Methodist Church on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Twenty-nine individuals receive their naturalization certificates as new United States citizens from United States Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl during a Naturalization Ceremony in Mammoth Cave’s Methodist Church on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Twenty-nine individuals and their family members are led through the Historic Entrance of Mammoth Cave to the cave’s Methodist Church opening to be sworn in as United States citizens during a Naturalization Ceremony within Mammoth Cave on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Twenty-nine individuals and their family members are led through the Historic Entrance of Mammoth Cave to the cave’s Methodist Church opening to be sworn in as United States citizens during a Naturalization Ceremony within Mammoth Cave on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Uwimana Muzige, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, takes a photo with United States Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl after being sworn in as a new United States citizen during a Naturalization Ceremony within Mammoth Cave on Thursday, April 24, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
MAMMOTH CAVE — The first time Paul Tshibangu visited Mammoth Cave National Park, he became a United States citizen.
Tshibangu was one of 29 people from 12 countries who participated in a naturalization ceremony within Mammoth Cave on Thursday, all of whom emerged from the cave as Americans.
Originally from Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, Tshibangu has lived in the U.S. for around six years. He spoke on his emotions after becoming naturalized.
“Now I (have) a lot of benefits I didn’t have before, voting and working some jobs” he said. “I feel pretty good about it.”
Rangers with Mammoth Cave led the 29-strong group and their family members around half a mile into the Methodist Church portion of the cave for the ceremony. U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Brent Brennenstuhl presided over the ceremony and the Barren County High School JROTC presented the colors.
Home countries represented during the ceremony include the DRC, Burma, Canada, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Eritrea, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Nepal, Tanzania and Vietnam.
Brennenstuhl spoke during the ceremony on what citizenship will mean for the people’s families, and displayed a naturalization certificate that one of his ancestors received when they came to the United States in the 1860s.
“I can’t imagine immigrating to a country that was at war with itself,” Brennenstuhl said. “I have to believe that the reason they did that was because they still viewed this as the land of opportunity.
“As years go by, as your children and their children look back upon this day, they will be as grateful to you as I am to my forebears of the choice to become a United States citizen.”
After the naturalization oath was administered, Mammoth Cave Superintendent Barclay Trimble addressed the crowd.
“Some of you may have come seeking (protection) from oppression or persecution,” Trimble said. “Some of you may have come seeking new opportunities or just a better life for your family. … Regardless of your reasons, we say welcome and thank you for coming.”
Some were excited about being able to vote. Richard Ndagiro said he is looking to “travel the world” after he obtains a U.S. passport.
David Ruhumuiza, another new citizen originally from Congo, said he was with his mother when she received her own naturalization. He spoke on his goals now that he’s a full citizen, saying he hopes to become a member of Congress down the road.
Ruhumuiza gave a different description of becoming a citizen.
“The U.S. is kind of like a cool group, and (when) you’re in that group, you’re cool too,” he said.
Jack covers city government for the Daily News. Originally from Simpson County, he attended Western Kentucky University and graduated in 2022 with a degree in journalism.
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