Image: Isatu Barrie smiles after taking part in the United States Oath of Citizenship during a naturalization ceremony in the Brooklyn borough of New York

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New Citizens Sworn in at Emotional Naturalization Ceremonies

People take the oath and become naturalized U.S. citizens in Washington D.C. and Brooklyn on Dec. 15.

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Image: Obama at naturalization ceremony

President Barack Obama speaks during a naturalization ceremony for new US citizens, at the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 15. "Immigration is our origin story... It’s who we are. It’s part of what makes us exceptional," the president said.

Read: Obama Knocks Anti-Immigrant Atmosphere in Citizenship Ceremony

— Martin H. Simon / POOL / EPA
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Image: Obama Speaks At Naturalization Ceremony

Naturalization candidates wave their American flags after taking the Oath of Allegiance during a ceremony for new U.S. citizens at the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C.

— Martin H. Simon / Getty Images
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Image: Naturalization ceremony

A naturalized U.S. citizen waves a American flag and Oath of Allegiance during the ceremony.

— Martin H. Simon / POOL / EPA
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Image: People celebrate as they become U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives Museum in Washington

People celebrate as they become U.S. citizens at the National Archives Museum.

— CARLOS BARRIA / Reuters
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An emotional participant in a naturalization ceremony listens as President Barack Obama speaks at the National Archives Museum. During the ceremony, 31 immigrants from Iraq, Ethiopia, Uganda and 23 other nations were being sworn in as U.S. citizens.  

— Evan Vucci / AP
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Image: A man holds an envelope from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Service during a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives Museum in Washington

A man holds an envelope from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Service during the ceremony.

— CARLOS BARRIA / Reuters
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Image: U.S. Army Private Asha Dalling (C) raises his hand as he takes the United States Oath of Citizenship during a naturalization ceremony in the Brooklyn borough of New York

U.S. Army Private Asha Dalling, center, raises his hand as he takes the United States Oath of Citizenship during a naturalization ceremony in Brooklyn, New York on Dec. 15.  

— LUCAS JACKSON / Reuters
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Image: Isatu Barrie smiles after taking part in the United States Oath of Citizenship during a naturalization ceremony in the Brooklyn borough of New York

Isatu Barrie, center, smiles after taking part in the United States Oath of Citizenship during the ceremony in Brooklyn, New York.

— LUCAS JACKSON / Reuters
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Image: Friends and family surround a newly naturalized citizen after a naturalization ceremony in the Brooklyn borough of New York

Friends and family surround a newly naturalized citizen after the naturalization ceremony in Brooklyn.

— LUCAS JACKSON / Reuters
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