APOPKA, Fla. — Some Central Florida residents are celebrating Independence Day as new US citizens.
▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS
Twenty people took their oath Thursday morning.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services said the new Americans hail from 17 different countries — including South Korea, Thailand, Jamaica, and Israel — and have met all requirements to naturalize.
READ: July 4th fireworks displays in Central Florida
They can now enjoy citizenship benefits like voting and access to a passport.
For many, this morning’s event was an important step in reaching their dreams.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/4D54EDANARBT7G3XFPNU6PKZTY.jpeg)
Annalee Brown-Daley, who immigrated from Jamaica, shared her joy with Channel 9.
“I’m going to finish my schooling and become a nurse, that’s my plans for right now ... I feel very accomplished because it has been 11 years, so i finally did it!”
READ: Heat, traffic & safety top of mind as crowds gather for Lake Eola’s holiday celebration
Last year the USCIS Orlando field office naturalized more than 14,000 new citizens.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7KST5TASQNFFHN77H5KSXNUXFU.jpeg)
Thursday morning’s ceremony was held at the Hope Community Center in Apopka.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2024 Cox Media Group
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/J2DUPE7J7BBWJIVGCYW3OV4TDU.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/QT23EJKNINHSVKIE657U6QGY5A.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/63DYHU7IX5HJPOVIAKLJIWM5NM.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/HDEOTLCW2RDZFB5HHULOIL3R3Y.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/TI6AMSEDRLGQDUK6T6QHMBDADI.jpg)