150 Immigrants Naturalized At Ceremony Hosted By New York Public Library
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Hundreds of immigrants became U.S. citizens Wednesday at a naturalization ceremony held at the New York Public Library's landmark 42nd Street building.
As 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported, there were many little American Flags and many happy faces as 150 immigrants from 40 different countries were naturalized.
"That really speaks to the kind of diversity that's valued and embraced here in New York," said Phyllis Coven, with the U.S.Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Lloyed came from England 11 years ago with his family. He said he wanted to be an American because this is the land of second chances.
"You always have the ability to do different things, reinvent yourself," he said.
One woman who came from Jamaica in 2001 said to her, America means freedom and opportunity.
"Oh I'm elated. It's finally happening, I mean, I've been in the military for eight years and it's something that I'm just so excited to be apart of," she said.
Christian, who was born in the Dominican Republic, said becoming naturalized means "more opportunity, more freedom."
On display at the he New York Public Library this week is a copy of the Declaration of Independence written in Thomas Jefferson's own hand.
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