22 people awarded U.S. citizenship at ceremony

Just in time for Independence Day, 22 people from various countries were awarded their U.S. citizenship today during the naturalization ceremony.

The majority of the citizens were from Mexico, a few from the middle east and one from Canada.

The ceremony took place at the U.S. District Court Wednesday afternoon in Pocatello. And by tradition, the new citizens rang the liberty bell outside afterward to seal the deal on their new U.S. citizenship.

“Yeah, it’s very exciting. It’s been a long wait and I’m glad to finally become a citizen. I came here when I was very young – 2years old. So, it’s been 17 years,” said Hariank Mistry, from Bombay, India.

Mistry says it’s been a long road with obstacles in the way, but he has finally achieved his dream.

And now he says he’s looking forward to his future career as an electrical engineer.