LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – As the Memorial Day weekend started, approximately 30 people completed the final step to becoming U.S. citizens by taking the Oath of Allegiance and swearing to support the U.S. Constitution.
Arianna Taylor, who came from Cuba, was among those who participated in the naturalization ceremony at the Frazier History Museum.
“I’m very proud to be part of the United States and have that liberty and all of rights,” Taylor said.
Taylor said Friday was a day she has dreamed about for the past six years.
“It’s like, for us, like an immigrant, it’s like the last step,” Taylor said. “And now I can vote. So, that’s so huge for us because here we have, you know, your voice matters. So, I’m very happy.”
The new citizens came from more than a dozen countries, including Bhutan, Brazil, Burma. Columbia, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haití, South Korea, Rwanda, Ukraine, Venezuela and Vietnam. They stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and the Oath of Allegiance, swearing to support the U.S. Constitution.
Taylor said she left Cuba looking for a better life.
“You know in the United States when you work hard you see the results here? It’s not the same in Cuba it’s very difficult when you try to make a difference in your life or the life of your children and nothing happens,” she said.
Cuba was in the international news this week as the U.S. Department of Justice indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro for murder. Thousands of Cubans celebrated the news.
“That’s the reason why many Cubans are here. So… Cuba is beautiful. But not the government,” Taylor said. “I know every Cuban is {sp} happy today.”
Taylor said the next step is to try to bring her son from Cuba to raise him in the United States “and raise him here in this incredible country.”
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