A group of new American citizens was officially welcomed into the community last Friday at New Bedford’s Immigrants’ Assistance Center.
Friends and family applauded, whistled in jubilation and stretched their arms to take pictures of their loved ones receiving their certificates and becoming citizens of the U.S. Some new citizens were visibly holding back tears as they went up to receive their certificates. Others warmly embraced their family and children, little American flags in hand, as they went back to their seats.
“It’s a great feeling, it’s really great,” Carl Bechgaard, a new citizen originally from Denmark, said.
Bechgaard, who is retired, has lived in the U.S. for about 30 years. He says he is excited to vote in the next election.
“I think that’s about the difference in my life that I can vote now,” he said. “Because I have been paying taxes all the way along. Otherwise, I would be very much looking forward to paying taxes.”
This story was reported by The Public's Radio. You can read the entire story here.
