Hundreds sworn in as new U.S. citizens on Independence Day

While many people were barbecuing and playing in the sun for the Fourth of July, hundreds in Seattle became new U.S. citizens.

At Seattle’s 34th annual naturalization ceremony held every Independence Day, 503 people from 83 countries were sworn in by Circuit Court Judge Richard C. Tallman.

This year 24 were active U.S. military members including Jesus Martinez who serves in the Army.  

He came to the U.S. from Mexico fifteen years ago.  

“I feel great after fifteen long years of waiting I finally accomplish my dream. Now off to the next step,” Martinez says.  

Amid a heated national debate over immigration right now, Kathleen Gabot said she feels safer becoming an official citizen.  

“I feel more relieved that I’m a U.S. citizen and that I’ll be protected by the Constitution more than anything else,” she says.

Gabot immigrated to the U.S. seven years ago from the Philippines. 

Seattle’s ceremony was one of dozens held across the country Wednesday.