15 sworn in as US citizens at Charlotte Museum of History for 4th of July

CHARLOTTE — As millions of Americans celebrated the 4th of July, 15 people from 13 different countries took the oath to become U.S. citizens Monday at the Charlotte Museum of History.

With their loved ones by their sides and American flags in hand, the group proudly stood and pledged their allegiance to the Stars and Stripes.

“It’s been a long journey,” Irene Jeanne Elizabeth Doughtey told Channel 9. “I had a lot of my schooling in the United States.

Doughtey, originally from The Bahamas, went to boarding school in Asheville and later married a US citizen. She said she felt compelled to make her status official, adding that she’s “honored, proud, and ready to vote.”

The new citizens hail from more than a dozen countries, including Afghanistan, Germany, Ghana, Laos, Mexico, Peru, and the United Kingdom. On Monday, they left the museum as Americans.

“I feel very honored, and I feel very proud to be an American,” said Ted Linn. “I’m excited for the new opportunities.”

You can learn about becoming a US citizen or start the process of becoming a US citizen by clicking this link. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old, have been a permanent resident for the past five years, have continuous physical residence in the US, have good moral character, have knowledge of English and civics, and be willing to take an Oath of Allegiance at a public ceremony, according to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WATCH BELOW: 27 people in Charlotte take oath to become U.S. citizens

27 people in Charlotte take oath to become U.S. citizens On the Fourth of July, 27 people from 19 countries took an oath and became United States citizens at the Charlotte History Museum.

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