Giang Duong holds her nephew Jayden Chau, 16 months, before the beginning of the Naturalization Ceremony at the Portland Library in Portland on Friday. Duong is originally from Vietnam, and will go through the naturalization ceremony on Friday. Whitney Hayward / Staff Photographer
Forqan Abdulaziz sits in the crowd before the naturalization ceremony at the Portland Public Library on Friday.
Challa Tekalu of Westbrook, who is originally from Ethiopia, raises his right hand to swear allegiance to the United States during the naturalization ceremony at the Portland Public Library on Friday.
Woraprat Noyvimol of Biddeford, who is originally from Thailand, became a United States citizen at a naturalization ceremony at the Portland Public Library on Friday.
Sulafa Fadl holds an American flag after participating in the naturalization ceremony at the Portland Public Library on Friday. Fadl is originally from the Sudan, and has lived in the United States for 10 years.
Forqan Abdulaziz, who is originally from Iraq and has lived in Portland for five years, participated in the naturalization ceremony Friday in Portland.
Challa Tekalu, who is is originally from Ethiopia, wears an American flag after participating in the naturalization ceremony at the Portland Public Library on Friday.
Abebanesh Abdela and her daughter Afomiya Timerga, 8, who are originally from Ethiopia, participated in the naturalization ceremony at the Portland Public Library on Friday. "I am so proud today, I cannot stop smiling," Abdela said.
Anas Beshir, 19, who is originally from the Sudan, became a United States citizen in a naturalization ceremony at the Portland Public Library on Friday.
Eman Abed, who is is originally from Iraq and has lived in Portland for five years, holds an American flag after she participated in the naturalization ceremony at the Portland Public Library on Friday.
Giang Duong laughs in celebration after she is officially declared a citizen of the United States during the naturalization ceremony at the Portland Public Library on Friday.
News 
