HIALEAH, Fla. – Dozens of immigrant children became U.S. citizens the day before the Fourth of July.
The naturalization ceremony took place Wednesday inside the Hialeah citizenship and immigration office.
The 40 children that became citizens hailed from 10 different countries. Their parents previously became U.S. citizens, making their path to citizenship easier.
"If my parents wouldn't have done it before I turned 18, then I would have had to do it myself and I would have had to go through a longer process," said Sureos Guevara.
"It is a pretty honorable day to be able to call myself a U.S. citizen," said Khalia Malagon.
"It is very important to me because I have always wanted to be a U.S. citizen just like my mom," added Dagnes Pozo.
They even heard from President Barack Obama.
"It is a very special day for me because I finally get to be a citizen," said Helen Lorenzo.
Aurora Garcia, Lorenzo's grandmother, who became a citizen 28 years ago, was proud.
"Very, very happy," she said.
Sweeping immigration reform is currently before the U.S. House of Representatives.