A local immigrant activist has officially become a United States citizen after helping hundreds of other immigrants do the same thing.
For 12 years, Camila Fyler was watching from the sidelines.
Fyler, originally from Colombia, is a coordinator with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coaltion. She helps walk immigrants through the process of becoming a naturalized citizen. In her two years there, she's helped nearly 1,000 become citizens.
On Thursday, she finally had her chance to take the oath.
"I'm very proud that i finally got here to this point," Fyler said. "I feel like I'm achieving a dream."
Fyler was a part of the naturalization ceremony, Thursday. Nearly 60 people from 20 different countries filled a courtroom in the Federal Courthouse in downtown Nashville.
During the half-hour ceremony, attendees stood up and told the judge in which country they were born and then took an oath to the country.
While it may have lasted a short time, the effects of the ceremony will last a lifetime.
"Now that I'm a U.S. citizen, I have a voice, and I get to vote," she said.
Immediately after the ceremony, people filled out voter registration cards and picked up American flags that were handed out.
Friends of Fyler's said this ceremony marked a new chapter in her life.
"It was so wonderful to see her take the step today," Stephanie Teatro Co-Executive Director for TIRRC said. "We know that having this direct experience will strengthen the program."
Could you pass this U.S. civics test? Tell us how many you could answer.NC5_CuthbertLangley found out today that it's just one part of what it takes to become a U.S. citizen.
Posted by NewsChannel5.com on Thursday, March 24, 2016
For more information on how to become a naturalized citizen, click here.
