Welcome 34 New American Citizens, Ceremony in Richland

34 people, from teens to older adults, from 16 different countries, completed their naturalization journey, and are now American citizens.

Tuesday morning in Richland, Rep. Dan Newhouse welcomed these new Americans besides serving as the keynote speaker at what's called the 'winter' naturalization event.

Each year, a series of such swearing in events are held at the Federal Courthouse, to formally introduce immigrants who have completed the legal requirements to become an official American citizen.

These people included a 19-year-old from Cuba, and people from South Korea, Chile, Zimbabwe and more.

Rep. Newhouse encouraged them to become active in their communities, to encourage others (as well as themselves) to vote and utilize all the freedoms that come from being a naturalized official American citizen.