RALEIGH -- In a time when the topic of immigration is at the forefront of debate in our state and country, a special group of people are spending their July 4 holiday this year not only celebrating our country's history, but also becoming U.S. citizens.

Naturalization ceremonies are taking place in three North Carolina cities on July 3 and July 4 this year, as eager immigrants join thousands of other across the country becoming US citizens. 

Pamela Wilson with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services sat down with Spectrum News anchor Caroline Blair for a look at the arduous process of becoming an American citizen, and the changes the Department of Homeland Security has undergone in recent years to as she says, “better protect the homeland."

Wilson says the department has strengthened its application procedures, and are more closely examining everyone who applies for immigration benefits. She says more than 11,000 immigrants will become naturalized citizens in North Carolina this year, and this week three ceremonies will join a number of others across the country doing just that. 

A ceremony is taking place on July 3 at 4pm in Southport. Then on July 4, they’re holding ceremonies at noon in Kinston at Harmony Hall, and Raleigh as part of their downtown Independence Day celebrations. 

For more information on those ceremonies and about the process of being a US citizen, visit the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

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