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Omaha, Neb. (KETV) — A diverse mix of nearly 40 people from nine countries met Thursday at the National Park Service office on the Missouri Riverfront to celebrate their newly obtained citizenship.
Each person got the certificate they’ve worked so hard for, recognizing them as Americans.
“It’s a piece of paper, but for me, it’s like a big accomplishment,” said Samjhana Baraily, from Nepal.
Baraily said, for the first time in her life, she has a country to call her own, something she never had as a refugee.
“I lived my 22 years without any citizens(hip). Like, I belonged to nowhere. So now, I belong to America,” Baraily said.
“This is the naturalization certificate that I received today, which says that I have been given the citizenship,” said Rony Kappuzha from India, showing off his certificate.
For Kappuzha and his family, becoming an American means unlimited opportunities for success.
“(Success) is limited only by the ambition of the individual. Which is, unfortunately, sadly not true for the rest of the world,” Kappuzha said.
State Sen. Tony Vargas, who also attended the ceremony said, “This is special to me because my parents stood in a room like this and in particular, now I’m a state senator representing other people.”
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