60 new U.S. citizens take oath at historic Old State Capitol in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A historic moment unfolded Wednesday at the Old State Capitol in Springfield as 60 people from around the globe officially become United States citizens during a special naturalization ceremony.

Hosted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in partnership with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, the event was presided over by U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless, who administered the Oath of Allegiance.

The new citizens represent a wide array of backgrounds and cultures, originating from 25 different countries, including Algeria, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam, among others.

Ceremonies like Wednesday's are more than legal milestones — they are celebrations of perseverance, diversity, and the American dream. USCIS frequently holds these events in meaningful locations such as museums, libraries, and historic landmarks. The Old State Capitol, once home to the Illinois legislature and a place where Abraham Lincoln once spoke, serves as a powerful backdrop for those pledging their allegiance to their new country.