LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The city of Louisville welcomed 24 people who became American citizens in a naturalization ceremony Friday. 

The attendees recited the Oath of Allegiance before U.S. District Court Judge David Hale. 

"Let me encourage you – share your experiences and your wisdom with your fellow citizens," he said. "We will all benefit from your contributions."

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer welcomed them to the city.

"This is a historic day for you," he said. "I’m really glad. If you don’t live here in Louisville, I ask you to move to Louisville, OK? I'm proud to be your mayor and proud to share this unforgettable moment with you."

It was a moment Aminata Jalloh had long dreamed of, she said. 

Aminata Jalloh, who moved to the United States from Liberia, said she had been waiting for the moment for years. (Spectrum News 1/Erin Kelly)

"I’m really, really happy," she told Spectrum News 1. "It’s the land of opportunity, although we have all our differences, but it gives you the opportunity to become who you are and what you want to be." 

Jalloh, who moved to the U.S. from Liberia, has worked as a certified nursing assistant and is now employed at a Kentucky hospital, she said. 

Now she's looking ahead to her next dream.

"My dream is right now to go to school and become somebody so I’ll be able to help out my community and all of that," she said. "That’s the dream."

The new U.S. citizens came from 14 different countries, including Cuba, China and Venezuela.