In the COVID-19 era, they become citizens in a drive-through

Unable to become U.S. citizens the traditional way in this age of coronavirus, people take the oath of allegiance in a drive-through ceremony.

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA - JUNE 23: Talia Han, 1, hugs her mom, Thao Pham, who's a pop singer with a stage name of Thanh Thao, after taking the oath of allegiance at a drive through citizenship naturalization at the Chet Holifield Federal Building parking lot Tuesday, June 23, 2020 in Laguna Niguel. Pham immigrated to Westminster from Vietnam. About 210-270 people a day have appointments throughout the day for 11 days in seven locations across Southern California. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the courts have delegated the authority to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to administer the Oath of Allegiance at the naturalization ceremony. Taking the oath completes the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Talia Han, 1, hugs mom Thao Pham, who has just taken the oath of allegiance in a drive-through naturalization ceremony in Laguna Niguel. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

By Allen J. SchabenStaff Photographer

June 24, 2020 6:28 AM PT

U.S. citizenship officer Rochelle Reyes, right, administers the oath of allegiance to Thao Pham in Laguna Niguel. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A small line of cars waits as U.S. citizenship officer Newton Perez administers the oath of allegiance. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Keith and Angela Burnett, who moved to Dana Point from England 40 years ago, take the oath of allegiance. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Suely Franciose, right, and her husband, Luis Cervantes, celebrate his new citizenship. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tuyen Nguyen, who immigrated to Garden Grove from Vietnam, takes a celebatory photo with his wife, Chi Tran, and children. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Joe Campobasso, who immigrated from Italy in 1958 and lives in Costa Mesa, celebrates after becoming a U.S. citizen. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Allen J. Schaben

Los Angeles Times staff photographer Allen J. Schaben is an award-winning journalist capturing a wide range of images over the past 34 years. Before joining The Times, he honed his craft at the Detroit Free Press, Dallas Morning News, Wichita Eagle and Connecticut Post. Schaben earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1993.