New citizens take the oath of allegiance at Saguaro National Park at the annual Independence Day citizenship ceremony, July 4, 2018.
Twenty new citizens from different eight countries took the oath of allegiance on Wednesday at Saguaro National Park.
The Independence Day citizenship ceremony at the park is becoming a Tucson tradition.
Sangita Pawar was one of the people who took the oath. She came to the United States from Mumbai, India.
"This country has given me a lot: an education, a career, opportunities which I probably would not have gotten back home," said Pawar.
Pawar came to Tucson 17 years ago for graduate school. She said becoming a citizen was a great feeling.
"That feeling that you are contributing to the community, you are doing something, you are part of something that is really bigger than yourself."
Federal Judge Bruce Macdonald administered the oath to the new citizens. He said the citizenship ceremony is one of his favorite jobs.
"So much of what we do at the courthouse involves sadness and tragedy and this is truly the only day where it is an incredibly joyous day," said Macdonald.
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