Twenty-three people from 17 different countries just became new Colorado Springs citizens after a multi-year process that examines their backgrounds and requires them to familiarize themselves with U.S norms.

The process involves a series of tests, an interview and fees that quickly add up before a final ceremony where the people must take an Oath of Allegiance to the U.S. before being naturalized as a citizen. Their ceremony was held at the Pikes Peak Library District, which partners with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to host the annual event.

A crowd of over 50 people cheered and celebrated with the new citizens at their ceremony, which had appearances from Mayor Yemi Mobolade and state Sen. Greg Lopez.

“I’m so happy right now,” said Eraether Fonj Mudoh, a 31-year-old woman who came from the African nation of Cameroon with her family.

Mudoh emigrated to the U.S. to live out the American dream with her husband, who is stationed at Fort Carson, and her three kids. After seven years of going through the process, which was difficult to pay for, she said she’s now able to fully live out the dream, part of which means going back to Africa with her kids to visit her mother.

Aaron Lemus, 27, emigrated from El Salvador to escape being forcefully recruited in a war or gang he wanted no part of. In 2013, he came to Colorado for a vacation and met his future wife, making Colorado a natural next step for him.

“I love Colorado. I love the mountains, I love going fishing. There’s just so many things you can do here,” he said. “I am so grateful to this country, and I am ready to contribute to this society and not be a burden.”

Lemus is the first one in his family to complete his naturalization process, which he started in 2020, and he’s ready to use his citizenship to garner better opportunities for his wife and three kids.

Mobolade, who started his own immigration process 21 years ago and was naturalized in 2017, encouraged the new citizens to pursue their dreams while upholding the responsibilities of a U.S. citizen.

“Your story is powerful. … While each of our stories differ, we are united in our story of leaving our homeland in search of a better opportunity, safety and a chance for a brighter future.”

At the ceremony, every new citizen stood up and held up their hand to take the Oath of Allegiance to the U.S., which has them give up their allegiance to their previous country.

The citizens were then handed their certificates that denoted their citizenship and given American flags by members of veterans group the American Legion.

To help prepare citizens for their naturalization test, the Pikes Peak Library District hosts a free eight- to 10-week study group that goes over how to complete the forms, information that will be on the test and offers practice interviews.

On approval, the applicant undergoes the naturalization ceremony where they will make the oath and then receive their citizenship certificate.

Over the past decade, there have been more than 7.7 million naturalized citizens in the U.S. Fiscal years 2022 and 2023 make up for 24% of all naturalizations over that decade.