INDIANAPOLIS -- More than 150 people became United States citizens on Thursday during the Indy International Festival.
The Naturalization Ceremony took place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
It comes amid big questions about immigration, with President-elect Donald Trump set to take over the oval office in just 71 days.
The state of Indiana is also reviewing how it handles immigration laws and families.
But amid the political tension families were all smiles Thursday as people from dozens of countries raised their hand and can now call themselves a United States citizen.
Jennifer and Her husband Paul Luke are two of the 158 people from 51 different countries who were sworn in as citizens at the ceremony.
Jennifer and her husband met in Trinidad, South America and came to the United States in 2011.
"I love the freedom, I love people," said Jennifer. "Because of family and my oldest brother was a sponsor for me, that's why we're here."
All of them took the oath of citizenship, administered by Federal Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.
"I can make it here, compared to other countries I live in. You can make it anywhere, you guys are blessed here, you don't know how blessed you all are," said Jennifer.
Opportunities to become a citizen are frequent in Indiana.
The U.S. Federal District Court in Indianapolis says they oversee an average of three Naturalization ceremonies each month.
Most of the ceremonies are smaller, but some of them are big events like the one held Thursday or annually on the Fourth of July.
