Shreveport welcomes 50 new U.S. citizens from 23 countries

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)- 50 individuals from 23 countries and their friends and family gathered at the Strand Theatre to be sworn in as U. S. Citizens.

Before the swearing-in ceremony in the city of Shreveport, the Caddo Parish Commission presented proclamations to The Strand for its 100-year anniversary.

The Victory Bells a musical trio from New Orleans performed patriotic songs before U. S. District Judge Maury Hicks administered the oath. He said, “These are the happiest things that I do as a federal district judge.”

It can take five years or longer to obtain citizenship, which includes learning English and U.S. civics.

Blanca Oats is originally from Mexico. She said, “It’s a very long process, very huge mental load that it takes on you having to fill out all the paperwork and having an interview done and taking the exam, but thankfully it’s over.”

Adaobi Umeaku came to the U. S. from Nigeria and told us she has always dreamed of living the American dream, and she already is, she said, “I’m so grateful to America for giving me a chance to actualize all of my dreams. I left Nigeria at the tender age of 17, and I wanted to come to America to become a doctor, and I did that, I am a board-certified internal medicine physician.”