SAN ANTONIO — Fifty individuals from 23 different countries celebrated a significant milestone at San Antonio’s City Hall as they took the oath to become naturalized U.S. citizens.
The ceremony, presided over by U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Chestney, marked the official transition for these new citizens.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones addressed the group, which included individuals from countries such as Afghanistan, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, India, Israel, and South Korea.
The event coincided with Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, offering a moment for reflection on the rights and freedoms associated with U.S. citizenship.
Luis Nente, one of the new citizens, expressed his gratitude, saying, “The right to freedom, the right to have everything, my family, everybody’s here so it’s a privilege to be a citizen here.”
The new citizens expressed pride in their accomplishment and readiness to live and work in the United States.