U.S. Senator Thom Tillis was in charlotte this afternoon to welcome 52 immigrants, as they officially became United States citizens.
 
Tillis joined judge David Cayer in handing out certificates of legalization during a naturalization ceremony at the courthouse.
 
“Often times during this ceremony you’ll have folks who’ve already served in the armed services, willing to lay down their lives for a country their not even yet citizens of.  So this is the best of America,” said Tillis.  “They’re what make us really great.”
 
Some requirements to gain legal citizenship: an immigrant has to be at least 18 years old, must have lived in the U.S. for five years or more, and must pass a citizenship test.
 
“They have to demonstrate a lot of knowledge about civics and United States government and they put a lot of effort and a lot of time too in just waiting for the process to play out to becoming a United States Citizen,” said Judge Cayer.
 
And one of the big pay-offs:  having the right to vote, which in an election year opens doors for these new Americans.
 
“That’s the most important right that they have is to participate fully in the political process so I hope that they will answer the call.”

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