50 people become US citizens at Rockland County ceremony
Dozens of people from 21 countries took the oath of citizenship during a naturalization ceremony at the Rockland Fire Training Center in Pomona.
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Fifty people from 21 countries officially became American citizens during a naturalization ceremony held at the Rockland Fire Training Center in Pomona on Friday morning.
The event was marked by excitement as the new citizens took the oath and pledged their allegiance to the United States.
"Let me be the first to welcome America's newest citizens!" Donna Silberman, the county clerk, said during the ceremony.
Among the new citizens, the largest group came from Haiti, with 11 people. Seven people were from the Dominican Republic and five were from Israel.
Marie, who is originally from Haiti, said becoming a U.S. citizen was an important milestone.
"I'm very happy to be citizen American today, so I can vote. I'm very happy,” she said.
Daysi Lopez, who is from El Salvador, said she felt overwhelmed with positive emotions after taking the oath.
"I feel so blessed, happy, and excited. I don't know. I feel a lot of things good,” said Lopez.
The Rockland County Clerk's office hosts naturalization ceremonies on a bimonthly basis.
