25 take oath in east Charlotte to become new US citizens

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For many people, the Fourth of July is about parades and maybe fireworks, but for 25 people in east Charlotte, Tuesday was life-changing.

They took an oath to become American citizens.

"This is one of the happiest days of my life,” said Richard Adameni, who has lived in the country for 30 years. “I'm very excited and honored to be an American. It's a big day for me.”

Adameni is from Jordan, but as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, he is a citizen of the United States.

“My heart is American, but I wasn't a citizen," Adameni said.

Adameni said that recent issues involving immigration, and the travel ban now in effect, weighed on his mind.

But now, he can sleep easier.

“It's something I don't have to think about when I go to bed," Adameni said.

Sixty-five ceremonies took place across the country and 15,000 people became Americans.

This is the third year for the naturalization ceremony at the Charlotte Museum of History.

"This is a wonderful place to celebrate immigration and the birth of the United States,” said Paul Kurzeja, of the Charlotte Museum of History.

More than 16 countries were represented at the ceremony.

(WATCH: 25 new United States citizens take oath in

east

Charlotte)

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