ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Dozens of people from around the world gathered at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Friday morning and became the United States' newest citizens. Some have been in the process for years, and some for months. "I've been in the United States for 11 years. I'm married to an American citizen. My wife is with me now. It just made sense to take the next step and say this is my new home, and I want to be a citizen," said Jan Tissler.

"I wanna cry. It was so nice. I'm so happy. I want everyone to feel this. Because there are many people in this country waiting for this. So I feel like I'm very fortunate," said Karla Bencomo.

177 people took the oath of citizenship, representing 42 countries.

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