More than 100 individuals from 34 different countries become US citizens in Joliet by pledging their allegiance: ‘I sense a connection to American history’

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) — More than 100 people from 34 countries took the oath of allegiance to become U.S. citizens Thursday in Joliet.

Alphonso Dormun, the lone representative from Liberia, had been waiting for this moment for a long time. He immigrated to America in 1985 and after forty years as a green card holder, he finally feels like his days of uncertainty are behind him.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Expressing his sentiments, Dormun shared, “I feel a part of American history. Like immigrants who have been coming to this country for the past 200 years, making it their own. So, it does mean a lot to me.”

It also meant a lot to a Mexican couple, who said being an American is a life-changing opportunity.

Alejandra Perez Madrigal echoed similar feelings by stating, “This is our home; this is where our story evolved into the next step. We have had many great opportunities in the U.S., and now it feels official.”

Before administering the oath, federal Judge Laura McNally used the words of the national anthem to make a very subtle reference to the current times in America.

“These are times where we are nervous and scared: Is the flag still there?” McNally said.

RELATED: SCOTUS sets arguments over injunctions on Trump bid to end birthright citizenship

The Trump administration’s attack on immigrants wasn’t lost on Democratic 14th District Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, who welcomed the new citizens.

“I tried to convey a sincere welcome. Obviously that stands in sharp contrast to the rhetoric we are hearing from Donald Trump,” Underwood said.

The Kukharenko family from Ukraine was so concerned about the anti-immigrant rhetoric coming from the White House, they were worried Thursday’s ceremony may have been canceled.

“We’ve been playing in the green card lottery with my wife since, I guess, 2010 or 2009 actually. So it’s been a very long journey,” Anton Kukharenko said.

They said it was a journey well worth it, even if it took decades.

“Everybody needs a fair chance to seek refuge in another country; people have good reasons why they are coming here, and when they come, seek to approve what we already have,” Dormun said.

Thursday’s ceremony was the second one held in the 14th Congressional District outside of the federal courthouse in Chicago.

Underwood says because her district has so many immigrants, she hopes the naturalization ceremonies continue to be held there every year.