Oakland extends warm welcome to youngsters becoming citizens

Alma Cecilia Rubalcaba, 4, waves an American flag in front of her face during a naturalization ceremony at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, California, on Monday, August 1, 2016. Alma Cecilia Rubalcaba, 4, waves an American flag in front of her face during a naturalization ceremony at Children's Fairyland in Oakland, California, on Monday, August 1, 2016. Photo: Connor Radnovich, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Connor Radnovich, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 19 Caption Close Oakland extends warm welcome to youngsters becoming citizens 1 / 19 Back to Gallery

They wore turbans, straw hats and tulle dresses, and grinned broadly, waving tiny American flags.

The 19 children who took the Oath of Allegiance at Children’s Fairyland on Monday hailed from China, El Salvador, India, Mexico, Vietnam, the Philippines, Yemen and Indonesia. Each received a certificate to prove his or her citizenship during a ceremony that at several points became a rebuke of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, whose criticism of Gold Star parents of a Muslim soldier caused a national outcry over the weekend.

“We know that in the city of Oakland, what makes America great, what makes America proud, is our diversity,” said Mayor Libby Schaaf, contorting Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan to promote what she says are her city’s core values: openness and inclusivity.

Schaaf delivered remarks in English and Spanish to welcome the children, ages 3 through 10, who all became U.S. citizens when their parents were naturalized and who on Monday received certificates to prove their citizenship.

Comedian and inspirational speaker Michael Pritchard, who hosted the ceremony for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, was exuberant.

“Here’s what I say from America: Welcome. We love you. We’re so honored that you’re part of us, and we care about you deeply,” Pritchard said, before regaling the audience with impersonations of various “Star Wars” characters.

Held in Aesop’s Playhouse — a children’s theater with animal sculptures arrayed under a large canopy —the ceremony opened with a medley of American folk songs by Tosca, a vocal group from the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus. Its members led the children and their families in a spirited version of “This Land Is Your Land” before launching into the national anthem.

Robin Barrett, San Francisco field office director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, administered the oath and handed out the certificates, alongside Schaaf and Pritchard. One of the honorees, 10-year-old Filipino immigrant Keira Dulay, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

“We feel incredible to be here,” said Wilber Quintanilla Sr., whose 3 year-old son, Wilber Quintanilla Jr., received his certificate during the ceremony.

The elder Quintanilla said he immigrated to the U.S. in 1985 to escape civil wars in his home country of El Salvador. He became a citizen in 2001 and said his wife, Sonia Marcela, is still in the process.

Many of the attendees were reluctant to talk politics, and some said they have not paid much attention to the sparring between Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Trump has vowed to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. and to build a wall along the border with Mexico.

Civic leaders who attended the ceremony at Fairyland had no problem denouncing the Republican candidate.

“I wish Donald Trump could be here to see what America really is, and what it will become in the future,” said Oakland Councilman Noel Gallo, who represents the predominantly Latino Fruitvale district — long considered an immigrant stronghold.

Juan Rubalcaba, whose 4-year-old daughter, Alma Cecilia, received a certificate, was reticent, saying he hasn’t decided whom to vote for in November.

“I don’t think it’s going to be Trump,” he said with a tight smile.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan