55 people sworn in as new US citizens in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – The Center for New Americans held its 16th Annual Fourth of July Citizenship Ceremony in Northampton on Thursday.

A total of 55 applicants were sworn in as United States citizens on the lawn in front of the Hampshire County Courthouse.

“What better day to become a naturalized citizen than on Independence Day? Getting citizenship on Independence Day is a great achievement.”

A large crowd of family, friends and Northampton residents gathered outside the courthouse to witness the ceremony.

“You see the commitment, you see them showing up every day, studying, you see their families supporting them, asking them questions,” said Harleen Multani, a citizen and immigration paralegal at the Center for New Americans.

From the initial application for citizenship, through the interview, the exam, and finally the ceremony… the length can vary. For some, the process was longer than for others, but now everyone can wave the American flag as a citizen of the United States.

“I am happy, my family is here supporting me. I am super excited, my best friend is the one who motivated me to do this,” said Angely Navarro from the Dominican Republic.

While families were there to provide support, many new citizens did so for their families. When you become a citizen, your children gain citizenship as well.

“I did it for my son and my family,” Marie Forest from Canada.

Many of these new citizens are originally from countries on different continents and becoming a citizen grants you rights and freedoms under the United States Constitution.

“I can vote, I can go back to my country at any time,” said Esparanza Cudjoe from Ghana.

The candidates represented a total of 31 different countries. It could not have been a more significant day for the ceremony and congratulations to all the new citizens!