Watch CBS News

Immigrants Celebrating 4th By Becoming U.S. Citizens

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – More than two hundred people who came to this country seeking a better life were sworn in as its newest citizens on the Fourth of July.

The ceremony took place at Miami Dade College's Freedom Tower which is considered by many to be the "Ellis Island of the South" for the role it played in providing assistance to hundreds of thousands of Cuban refugees who came to the U.S. to escape Communism.

The 211 immigrants who took the oath came from 50 nations.

"I love this country, I'm so proud to be part of the best country in the world," said Beatrice Parker from Uruguay.

"I've always found that the American people I knew were just so generous and they were so caring about other people in the world," said Stephen Surgic, who came to South Florida from Canada.

Matias Ruiz's children were born in the USA but on Thursday their parents joined them as citizens.

"It's very important for us to become as a family, together in the United States," Ruiz who came her from Argentina.

A family of Americans.

Myra Hernandez, whose 91-year old father who came from Cuba, was very proud that he was finally an American.

"This is a great country and everyone wants to be a citizen," said Hernandez.

The event was one of more than 100 ceremonies nationwide. In all, more than 7,800 immigrants became U.S. citizens.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.