Portraits of New Citizens

Since the 2012 election there's been more bipartisan movement on immigration policy than we've seen in a long time. Just this week, here in Michigan, the Secretary of State began issuing driver's licenses to immigrants who qualify for the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program. But perhaps lost in the discussion are the many immigrants who continue to achieve their citizenship dreams as the children of parents who are naturalized citizens. Photographer John Moore was at the federal courthouse in Manhattan this week to take portraits of some of the country's newest citizens, ranging in age from 5 to 41. Interestingly, Moore charged his assistant with recording not only the names of the kids, but also their parents' occupations. How will the lives of children living in poverty change with incremental shifts in immigration policy at the state and federal levels? It's something to ponder, but in the meantime, enjoy the faces of these new U.S. citizens.