Nearly 60 people become citizens

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Almost 60 immigrants to the United States took their oaths of citizenship Thursday, at a ceremony in the old federal courtroom in downtown Terre Haute.

The event, which was marked by several speeches and presentations, drew dozens of supporters, family and friends who snapped pictures of the event.

After the event, News 10 talked with several of the new citizens who told their stories:

Srishti Laller, a nursing student originally from India, moved to the United States with much of her family. Her father left India for the United States when she was an infant.

“The first time I saw him was when I was seven years old, because he wouldn’t be able to go back and see us,” Laller said.

Elvin Vivares from the Philipines had worked as an engineer in Michigan, but went to his home country when his contract ended. Since then, he’s returned to Indiana on a new job offer.

“They called me in the middle of the night to interview me, and it was an opportunity to work here,” Vivares said.

Now, he says, the family has grown accustomed to living in the Midwest.

Naomi Carpenter moved to the Wabash Valley after meeting a man on the internet and marrying him. The two have been together for five years, she said.

Many of the new Americans said becoming citizens took a long, arduous process. Nonetheless, many said, the result is well worth the wait.