Video: More Than 50 New American Citizens Take The Oath

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ABERDEEN, MISS. (WCBI) – More than 50 people from 24 countries are now United States citizens.

The naturalization ceremony has plenty of patriotism.
It’s taken years to get to this point but as WCBI’s Alyssa Martin found out, many say it was worth the wait.

“I’m happy to be a U.S. Citizen,”  said new American citizen, Yong-Gang Wang.

It took years of paperwork, interviews and tests but now there are more than 50 new American citizens.
The Naturalization ceremony was full of excitement and a feeling of accomplishment.

“Really just the spirit of our country is alive right here in Aberdeen. 53 new American citizens that took the oath today. It’s just a real honor to be apart of it,” said Tupelo Mayor, Jason Shelton.

Canada native, Alexandria Kriegel, moved to Starkville several years ago. She says taking the oath of citizenship is overwhelming.

” It really meant a lot. I didn’t expect it to be so emotional. But it is and I’m very excited and I feel very proud to be now a dual citizen of, I feel like, two of the greatest nations in the world, Canada and America, ” Kriegel said.

Kriegel has waited years to become a legal citizen but she says the wait was worth every moment.

“It started 7,8 years ago. Trying to get my visa from Canada and there has been many interviews and many hoops to jump through. So I’ll be honest, I’m kind of relieved to be at the end of this journey, ” Kriegel said.

The ceremony was held at the Aberdeen Federal Justice Court House.