That experience, he said, "gave me the opportunity to be around different people, different languages, different cultures, different traditions. . . . I came back much more tolerant."

He acknowledged the refugees' "strength, courage, determination."

Ortiz noted that while immigrants can bring "hundreds of pounds" of luggage, refugees are limited to two suitcases. Some come with nothing at all.

After the ceremony Ortiz and other CIS officials met with the Deseret Morning News editorial board. Ortiz said immigration in the news today seems to focus entirely on illegal immigration. He repeated a comment from the ceremony, saying the United States needs to "embrace" an average of 3,000 new immigrants every day. And another 3,000 new citizens.

During the naturalization ceremony, U.S. District Judge David Sam turned the microphone over to some of the new citizens.

One woman from Kampuchea (Cambodia) broke into tears as she said she came here alone nine years ago, but now she has a family. "I love the United States," she said.

"I'm so happy," said a man from Vietnam.

A native of Costa Rica said he grew up on a coffee plantation and had told his mother he'd come to the United States. He first came here for school.

"This is a very special day in my life. . . ," he said. "This is the country of opportunity."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com