120 immigrants granted citizenship for Independence Day

Erfan Shirazian, originally from Iran, raised his right hand and began his oath. In less than 30 seconds, he would become a citizen of the United States of America.

But he wasn't thinking about the next words in the paragraph, he said. He was thinking about all the people all over the world who would give anything to be in his shoes.

"I am so relieved to finally be a citizen," Shirazian said when the ceremony ended. "During the process I kept thinking about all the people who would give up anything to get where I am today. I'm lucky."

Shirazian's wife, Hangameh Dehbozorgi, also from Iran, snapped pictures as her husband joined her as an American citizen.

"The process was very meticulous, and it has definitely been a long journey," she said. "But this has brought us so much joy."

Shirazian was among 120 people naturalized as American citizens on Thursday at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Dallas district officein Irving. And he was one of 9,000 welcomed as new citizens in the days leading up to July 4, the nation's 238th birthday.

The citizenship candidates came from 37 countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Macedonia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Korea, Syria, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

Sadaf Hussain, originally from Pakistan, declared the oath alongside Shirazian. As she recited it, her thoughts drifted to her family.

"My husband, who is also a citizen, and I are paving the way for future generations of our family," Hussain said. "We are ensuring that our children will be citizens; they will have it much easier than we did, and I'm glad."

The ceremony was led by U.S. Magistrate Judge Amos Mazzant.

"Of all my duties, this is my favorite," Mazzant said. "Administering the Oath of Allegiance and welcoming everyone as citizens is my favorite part of my job."

The ceremony featured a speech from U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth.

"We are a nation of immigrants. America's diversity is one of the most enduring qualities that make this country unique," Veasey said to the new American citizens. "Today, you are each embedding your story in this nation's history."