Becoming an American citizen on the eve of Independence Day

On the eve of our nation’s 248th birthday, 29 men and women of all ages and from 17 different countries just became America’s newest citizens.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services hosted a naturalization ceremony in Fort Myers.

“I feel so emotional. I came to this country 17 years ago and have been living here as an American resident, and I made the decision to become a US citizen,” said Omar Asa, an Argentine immigrant.

The ceremony was the culmination of a long process for many, one that can take several years, and finally, getting there felt like a dream for many.

“It feels great. It feels like I’m a part of the world,” said Rols Stens Gourdet, a Haitian immigrant. “This is another thing that I like about America, there is the fact that it’s a multicultural country.”

Now, the nation’s newest citizens are ready to keep chasing their dreams and kick off their first Fourth of July as citizens.

“The true reason why I and all immigrants come to this country is to improve their quality of life,” said Asa. “But we are not only improving it economically. This country really stands out because it offers us freedom.”