28 powerful photos of people becoming American citizens

Jackie Nappo,Caroline FoxSep 17, 2020, 20:08 IST

Naturalization ceremonies can be emotional.John Moore/Getty Images

The US citizenship process can be long, expensive, and stressful.
On the special day, immigrants gather together to recite the Oath of Allegiance during the naturalization ceremony, which is held by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Due to COVID-19, in-person naturalization services have been backlogged, creating more uncertainty for immigrants and their families.

For many immigrants who come to the US, the citizenship process can be long, expensive, and stressful. So it comes as no surprise that, for those who have been through the process, the moment they become naturalized as citizens is typically filled with joy, relief, and tears.

This Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (September 17), here are powerful photos of newly naturalized American citizens.

The naturalization ceremony is joyful for those who have been through the long process to become a citizen. Pictured, a new citizen smiles and waves her flag among a crowd in Los Angeles.

She took her oath in Los Angeles, California. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

The naturalization ceremony is joyful for those who have been through the long process to become a citizen. Pictured, a new citizen smiles and waves her flag among a crowd in Los Angeles.

Silvia Hunt cheers as Mexico is announced during a naturalization ceremony.

Silvia Hunt during a ceremony at Turner Field in Atlanta. AP

Maria E. del Rio kisses her husband Raul del Rio as he becomes a citizen. Originally from Mexico, he waited 53 years to become a citizen.

Maria E. del Rio and Raul del Rio. AP

Roberta Minke hugs her daughter Sophia after becoming a citizen.

Roberta Minke. AP

Robert Moshenko, who is originally from Canada, wears an American flag jacket during his ceremony to become a citizen.

Robert Moshenko at his 2010 ceremony. AP

Jean Naason waves his flag and smiles during a naturalization ceremony in Miami.

About 50 people became citizens during that ceremony. AP

It's also an emotional day for many — Brianna Valanzuele hugs her grandmother after she became a citizen.

Brianna Valanzuele, 14, hugs her grandmother in Los Angeles. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Hatoumata Tounkara, a Muslim refugee who came to the US from Mali, holds up her naturalization certificate.

Hatoumata Tounkara became a citizen on World Refugee Day in New York City. AP

Congressman Charlie Crist, who serves Florida's 13th district, hugs Ana Henriquez Diaz during a naturalization ceremony.

Crist and Henriquez. AP

Ileana Gonzalez also holds back tears during a ceremony held at the Everglades National Park in Florida.

A group of immigrants hold on to their American flags during the ceremony. Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Immaculee Ilibagiza cries while reciting the pledge. She sought asylum in the US after fleeing the 1994 Rwandan genocide, according to the Associated Press.

Immaculee Ilibagiza. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews

A new citizen has an emotional moment during his ceremony.

He stood for the invocation with his flag. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Stallone Laurel Dias recites the pledge of allegiance after taking the oath to become a US citizen in Boston.

Stallone Laurel Dias. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Scarlet Gammon shares an emotional moment with her husband, George, after taking the oath in Los Angeles in 2017.

She became a citizen in Los Angeles, California. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

In the US, you do not have to be a citizen to serve in the military, but you do need a green card, also known as a permanent resident card.

Their ceremony took place in Los Angeles, California. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Zuyu Nu, who was serving with the US Navy, takes the oath of citizenship at the Statue of Liberty in New York City.

Zuyu Nu. AP

In 2018, 142 citizenship candidates from 33 countries took their Oath of Allegiance in Miami.

A naturalization ceremony at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Miami Field Office. AP

Also that year, new citizens smiled during the pledge of allegiance at the New York Public Library in Manhattan.

New citizens. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Another smiling group raises their hand to take the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance during a ceremony in Salem, Massachusetts.

A group of immigrants hold their American flags as they prepare to become citizens. Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

This duo captured a selfie of the special moment.

They took their oath in Los Angeles, California. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

A group in New Jersey gathers to shake hands during a ceremony.

The ceremony took place at Liberty State Park in New Jersey. John Moore/Getty Images

A woman in New York clutches her American flag as she recites the pledge.

She took her oath at the New York Historical Society Museum and Library in Manhattan, New York. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Maria De Las Mercedes Nunez Salgado smiles as she becomes a citizen.

She took her oath of citizenship at the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia. AP

The El Paso County Coliseum in Texas hosted hundreds of immigrants for their naturalization ceremony in 2019.

Countries from all over the world were represented in the crowd. PAUL RATJE/AFP via Getty Images

In Salt Lake City, a woman wipes a tear away as she is sworn in as a US citizen.

The ceremonies can be very emotional. George Frey/Getty Images

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, US Citizenship and Immigration Services had to host drive-in naturalization ceremonies to help stop the spread of the virus.

Omar Abdalla, originally from Palestine, attends a drive-in ceremony in Santa Ana, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images

In Brooklyn, New York, socially distant naturalization ceremonies started up again after months of delays.

People stand 6 feet apart with masks on during the entire ceremony. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Margaret Marwieh, who came to the US from Liberia, attends a socially distanced ceremony in Minneapolis.

Marwieh wears a mask to a 2020 ceremony. Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via Getty Images

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28 powerful photos of people becoming American citizens

The naturalization ceremony is joyful for those who have been through the long process to become a citizen. Pictured, a new citizen smiles and waves her flag among a crowd in Los Angeles.

Silvia Hunt cheers as Mexico is announced during a naturalization ceremony.

Maria E. del Rio kisses her husband Raul del Rio as he becomes a citizen. Originally from Mexico, he waited 53 years to become a citizen.

Roberta Minke hugs her daughter Sophia after becoming a citizen.

Robert Moshenko, who is originally from Canada, wears an American flag jacket during his ceremony to become a citizen.

Jean Naason waves his flag and smiles during a naturalization ceremony in Miami.

It's also an emotional day for many — Brianna Valanzuele hugs her grandmother after she became a citizen.

Hatoumata Tounkara, a Muslim refugee who came to the US from Mali, holds up her naturalization certificate.

Congressman Charlie Crist, who serves Florida's 13th district, hugs Ana Henriquez Diaz during a naturalization ceremony.

Ileana Gonzalez also holds back tears during a ceremony held at the Everglades National Park in Florida.

Immaculee Ilibagiza cries while reciting the pledge. She sought asylum in the US after fleeing the 1994 Rwandan genocide, according to the Associated Press.

A new citizen has an emotional moment during his ceremony.

Stallone Laurel Dias recites the pledge of allegiance after taking the oath to become a US citizen in Boston.

Scarlet Gammon shares an emotional moment with her husband, George, after taking the oath in Los Angeles in 2017.

In the US, you do not have to be a citizen to serve in the military, but you do need a green card, also known as a permanent resident card.

Zuyu Nu, who was serving with the US Navy, takes the oath of citizenship at the Statue of Liberty in New York City.

In 2018, 142 citizenship candidates from 33 countries took their Oath of Allegiance in Miami.

Also that year, new citizens smiled during the pledge of allegiance at the New York Public Library in Manhattan.

Another smiling group raises their hand to take the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance during a ceremony in Salem, Massachusetts.

This duo captured a selfie of the special moment.

A group in New Jersey gathers to shake hands during a ceremony.

A woman in New York clutches her American flag as she recites the pledge.

Maria De Las Mercedes Nunez Salgado smiles as she becomes a citizen.

The El Paso County Coliseum in Texas hosted hundreds of immigrants for their naturalization ceremony in 2019.

In Salt Lake City, a woman wipes a tear away as she is sworn in as a US citizen.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, US Citizenship and Immigration Services had to host drive-in naturalization ceremonies to help stop the spread of the virus.

In Brooklyn, New York, socially distant naturalization ceremonies started up again after months of delays.

Margaret Marwieh, who came to the US from Liberia, attends a socially distanced ceremony in Minneapolis.