41 people took their naturalization oath at the Genesee Country Village and Museum on July 4th, and are now United States citizens.
Giovanni Vella is from Italy, he was wearing an American Flag hat, shirt and socks for the occasion. He says he’s spent decades in the US and wished he could have voted in the last election, that’s what prompted him to become a citizen.
"It’s always been my dream to do this on the 4th of July. We had scheduled it for Flag Day, and I went to Buffalo to change it because its been a dream for the past 40 years to do that on the 4th."
He says he’s always felt like a citizen, and that the only thing that’s changed is that he now has the proper paperwork.
Hoshiar Sher is from Syria, and says the application took about two years to process through his wife who was a permanent citizen then. He’s attended MCC and RIT, and worked for Kodak.
"It feels great, you feel rewarded for your hard work and stuff."
Chief Judge Frank Geraci presided over the ceremony with a political speech saying the situation on the southern border is not a representation of America.
He urged new citizens to get involved in politics.
"Don’t just complain about the government or those in power, because you are the government and you have the power. Use it."
Geraci says this is a nation that welcomes all to pursue the American dream.
Naturalization ceremonies have taken place at the museum on the 4th of July for about 20 years now.