More than 1,200 people from 85 countries were naturalized Wednesday through two separate ceremonies in Roseville, California, hosted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, with the first ceremony themed as a special tribute to Independence Day.
The 800 who took the oath of allegiance during the first ceremony emigrated from Mexico, Afghanistan, Philippines, India and Vietnam, among others.
USCIS Sacramento Field Office Director Rebecca Sheehy greeted and congratulated the new citizens, and asked them to stand and wave their flag as she read aloud the name of each country.