TROY,
N.Y. - It was a moment of pride for Yong
Qia Gan. It was as if he were on a game show when he ran to the podium to accept his naturalization
certificate as he became an American citizen.
Among
the 59 new citizens stood Nasim Mohammadi. Nasim came to the U.S. five years
ago through the United Nations refugee program from Afghanistan. "When
the Taliban came to north Afghanistan, they attacked our city and stripped our
life," he explained.
That
was 14 years ago. He's made stops in Pakistan and Iran before finally making it
to the United States where he says he gained his freedom. "Whatever you want
you can reach it here," Mohammadi said.
The naturalization Friday allowed him to make his dream a reality. Going from refugee to an American
citizen. "It is so important, I love the U.S.," he said.
Nasim
says he's planning to become a model citizen as he continues his education for
mechanical engineering. He says he's looking forward to his first big election. "I want
to vote first."
It
was with that hope and passion that 59 people took the oath of allegiance
and
pledged
allegiance to the flag for the first time as U.S. citizens.
NEWS10 ABC
