By Hannah Duncan SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Dozens of new U.S. citizens were sworn in on Tuesday, which was a perfect way to celebrate National Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
Naturalization Ceremonies are typically held in the Courthouse or Federal Building of the city they are in, but Tuesday was a unique occasion where it took place at Syracuse University’s College of Law. Chief Judge Margaret Cangilos-Ruiz led the ceremony, which also included singing from a Syracuse University choir, a couple of speeches, and a reception following the event.
One of the new citizens, Naseer Ahmad Barekzai, expressed his excitement for his future in the U.S.
“Today, it’s a big change,” Barekzai said. “I can feel free, like I’ve got wings, that I can fly.”
Barekzai is originally from Afghanistan, but there were also new citizens from China, Myanmar, Cuba, and numerous other countries around the world. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website, over 756,000 people were naturalized in 2018.
The schedule for upcoming Naturalization Ceremonies in New York can be found here.
