75 become US citizens on Flag Day

MYSTIC, Conn. (WTNH) -- Seventy-five modern-day immigrants became United State citizens on Flag Day. They hail from 33 countries, from Bangladesh to Bulgaria.

Judge Janet Hall presided as the new citizens said the Oath of Allegiance on flag day at Mystic Seaport where a special session of the United States District Court of Connecticut was convened for the occasion.

"We've been in school here. We work here and our life is here," said new American Eliana Cardeno Jaramillo. "It's a very exciting moment."

Jaramillo and her sister, Laura Cristina Cardeno Jaramillo, came from Columbia as kids. Together they received their certificates of citizenship.

"I think it was really important to have her as a support system and be able to study together and go through this thing together," Eliana said. "I mean we came together, we've grown up together, we do everything together so it was very important to have her by my side."

"I'd rather have my sister than anybody else, so I'm excited," Laura agreed.  

What more fitting place to become a new American than at the Mystic Seaport? The museum celebrates America and the sea and these new Americans will also getting free admission for the day.

These new Americans not only got free admission for the day, but for the rest of the year.

"Pretty emotional. It's different it's a new beginning and it's a beginning of a life here different than it was before," Eliana said.