BREAKING

2016 Fourth of July naturalization ceremony

New citizens raise flags during their naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016. About 150 people from 48 countries were sworn in as new citizens. This is the 28th year the college has hosted a naturalization ceremony on the Fourth of July.
New citizens raise flags during their naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016. About 150 people from 48 countries were sworn in as new citizens. This is the 28th year the college has hosted a naturalization ceremony on the Fourth of July.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic
New citizens pledge allegiance to the United States at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
New citizens pledge allegiance to the United States at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic
Antonio Guzman from Phoenix and his granddaughter, Sophia Guzman-Javalera, 3, celebrate the citizenship of his son Manuel Guzman-Javalera at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Antonio Guzman from Phoenix and his granddaughter, Sophia Guzman-Javalera, 3, celebrate the citizenship of his son Manuel Guzman-Javalera at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic
New citizens pledge allegiance to the United States at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
New citizens pledge allegiance to the United States at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic
New citizens apply for their passports at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
New citizens apply for their passports at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic
New citizens apply for their passports at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
New citizens apply for their passports at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic
New citizens applying for their passports raise their hand in allegiance to the United States at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
New citizens applying for their passports raise their hand in allegiance to the United States at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic
Peggy Abel from Mesa takes Sylvie Cohen's picture following a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Peggy Abel from Mesa takes Sylvie Cohen's picture following a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic
Pikes Thoun from Avondale raises his hand in allegiance to the United States at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Pikes Thoun from Avondale raises his hand in allegiance to the United States at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic
New citizens raise flags during their naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
New citizens raise flags during their naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic
Kadiatu Chendeka from Laven listens to speakers at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Kadiatu Chendeka from Laven listens to speakers at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic
New citizens listen to speakers at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
New citizens listen to speakers at a naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic
Joylin Harding, top left, poses for a picture with her family following her naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Joylin Harding, top left, poses for a picture with her family following her naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic
Kadiatu Chendeka from Laveen poses for a portrait with her family following the naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Kadiatu Chendeka from Laveen poses for a portrait with her family following the naturalization ceremony at the South Mountain Community College on July 4, 2016.
Charlie Kaijo/The Republic