US citizens sworn in at American Heroes Air Show in Lake View Terrace

LAKE VIEW TERRACE >> The federal court began Saturday on a dusty dirt lot with last-minute tents to shield immigrants during a sun-drenched naturalization ceremony.

Upon command of U.S. District Judge Geraldine Mund, 52 residents from nearly two dozen nations recited an oath at the American Heroes Air Show in Lake View Terrace, making them U.S. citizens.

“Congratulations!,” declared Mund, as whoops and applause erupted from the newly naturalized. “You’re now American citizens.”

“This is a country of immigrants, based on the contribution of immigrants. … You are promising to make us a stronger nation with your presence.”

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the start of what was believed to be a record-setting weekend heat wave that broke over the nation’s premier helicopter air show.

The 2016 American Heroes Air Show, held for its 20th year at Hansen Dam Recreation Area, was expected to draw up to 10,000 visitors for helicopter acrobatics, chopper rides and a field of whirlybird exhibits.

It also showcased emergency preparedness and emergency response with local police and fire vehicles and safety demonstrations.

Local and federal law enforcement agencies were on hand to recruit northeast Valley residents.

But it was the makeshift naturalization ceremony, the air show’s second, which ignited the most patriotic response.

“It is such a privilege for our organization of volunteers to be here on this important day,” said Jim Paules, executive producer of the American Heroes Aviation Network, based in Encino, which has conducted more than 40 helicopter and rotary-wing air shows across the nation. “For these folks, to spend their first day as American citizens at an American Heroes Air Show is wonderful.”

It was Paules who reached out to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services to request naturalization ceremonies near the thwack of choppers.

Each year, the federal agency helps swear in between 80,000 and 100,000 immigrants in Southe Califoia, including between 12,000 and 14,000 in the Valley..

“I am very thrilled,” said Roland Lyons, director of the USCIS San Feando Valley Field Office in Chatsworth, who had doed an Old Glory tie for the event. “They will be American heroes.”

Eight servicemen who would become Americans during the official court proceeding already were. They included Army Pfc. Michael Magtira, bo in the Philippines, who’d already served a combat tour in Iraq.

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Before and after the half-hour ceremony, Neil Diamond’s “Coming to America” was broadcast on loudspeakers.

Afterward, 46-year-old Maria Contreras, a mother of five in Pacoima who’d been undocumented since 1990, was too choked up to speak.

“This means a lot,” said her sister, Lupe Contreras of Beaverton, Oregon, who became a citizen 11 years ago. “It’s a great country, always. We’re so happy.”

Kamran Khorshidian was also elated. The immigrant from Iran arrived six years ago and now works as an Uber driver and a clerk at Macy’s.

“I love (it) here,” said Khorshidian, 31, of Chatsworth. “It’s very different. I love the United States. I have been waiting so long for this day.”

I love it here because all people are free, all people from different races, religions working to be better. It’s the only place in the world all different kinds of people working together,” he said. “They love each other.”

After the ceremony, the new Americans picked up their U.S. papers, then melted into the air show crowd.