New Jersey is now home to 40 new American citizens.

People from 17 different countries took the oath of citizenship Wednesday with the Paterson Great Falls as a backdrop. Their friends and family were at their sides.

“There are so many people who have this dream of coming to this country. Some of them don't have the possibilities to, which is unfortunate. But I feel very happy and privileged. I thank my family for supporting me through all of this,” says Sheyla Verastegui.

At the age of 18, Verastegui was the youngest member of the group. She is a student at Passaic County Community College.

She says her American dream is to become a nurse or psychiatrist.