Miami Woman Gives New Meaning To "Senior Citizen"
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A woman in Miami has given new meaning to the phrase "senior citizen."
At 101 years old, Juana Hernandez became a U.S. citizen at a naturalization ceremony Tuesday morning.
Hernandez, along with 140 others, pledged allegiance to the United States.
"I'm very happy," Hernandez said.
"She's so excited. Very, very happy to be here, a U.S. citizen. Very happy," her grandson, Rafael Hernandez added.
Juana moved to the U.S. from Honduras 8.5 years ago.
Despite her advanced age, she was determined to officially make America her home.
"She passed the test. She passed the interview. We are very excited to have her become a citizen with the other 140 applicants," said United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Acting Section Chief Yasser Navarrete. "Her love for this new country is something I think will be very exciting for everyone involved."
The moment she was proclaimed a citizen is one the Hernandez family will never forget.
"It's a great moment. Like you don't know. I have goosebumps," Rafael Hernandez said.
Juana took the oath and sang the national anthem with her daughter by her side and the American flag proudly in her hand.
"My mom helped her so she could be part of this beautiful country," Rafael said.
The people sworn in alongside Juana Hernandez come from 37 different countries, but on Tuesday, they were "indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
While Hernandez's case is somewhat rare, she's not the only centenarian to become a U.S. citizen.
The oldest person on record to naturalize took the oath in 1997 at the age of 117.