Parents gathered along the front of the flag-adorned room to snap shots of their children officially becoming United States citizens.
More than 30 children and a few grown-ups received their citizenship certificates Friday morning at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Denver field office.
“It went really great,” said Madeleine Barrett, 12, originally from China. “Being a U.S. Citizen is really wonderful.”
The recipients, ages six to 52, hailed from 18 countries, including Bulgaria, Cote d’Ivoire, Mexico, Nepal, China, Peru and Vietnam.
“(I was) happy inside and out,” said Truc Nguyen, 10, of Vietnam.
The ceremony was primarily in recognition of children who got their citizenship through their parents, either by the naturalization of their parents or through adoption by U.S. families.
“I was feeling amazing in there,” said Angel Vargas, 11, Mexico. “I was feeling that I finally was going to be part of this amazing country called the USA.”
Vargas’ older sister, Marilyn Salcedo, said it was a long process. But the family doesn’t regret the work.
“It was worth it,” she said.
