About 90 people representing 35 countries became US citizens during a naturalization ceremony in Peoria, on Fri.
Chief US District Judge Jim Shadid administered the oath during the ceremony. Judge Shadid, the grandson of Lebanese immigrants, told the audience that their decision to become citizens will also pave the way for their children and grandchildren.
AshaPai is from Bangalore, India and is an engineer at Caterpillar. Pai smiled ear-to-ear after receiving her certificate of citizenship. She's lived in the US for 15 years.
Pai says she wanted to become a citizen because she values democracy and wants to make a positive impact.
“To teach our children to become good citizens and help this country become even greater in whatever little way they can,” Pai said.
Pai and her husband Guru Nayak both became citizens during Friday’s ceremony. They also registered to vote just minutes after taking the oath of allegiance.
Other countries represented in the naturalization ceremony include Sudan, Iraq, Venezuela and Vietnam.
U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) and Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) also spoke during Friday's ceremony at the Peoria Public Library downtown.