KOTA Territory welcomes 111 new U.S. citizens - KOTA Territory News

KOTA Territory welcomes 111 new U.S. citizens

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People from 38 different nations raised their hands to swear allegiance to the U.S. Thursday.

South Dakota welcomed 111 new citizens from across the world to the community. The naturalization process is finally complete for these people.

Key note speaker Qusi Al–Haj took the same steps 21 years ago. So he extended a challenge to them to better this county. "Providing that you roll up your sleeves and give it what it takes and pull your own weight and dream big and set your goal high everything is possible and I'm certainly living proof," said Al-Haj.

Al-Haj was born in Jordan and came to America in 1979. Now he is the Western Regional Director for Senator John Thune.

Marichu Matig-A Keonig who is originally from the Philippines says she decided to become a U.S. citizen for her future children. "America is a land of opportunity there's a lot of opportunity here and happiness," said Keonig.

The naturalization process can take anywhere from five months to over two years.

Click here to see a slideshow from the Mount Rushmore ceremony

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