With the Fourth of July and America’s 250th birthday this weekend, 19 people from around the world gathered for a ceremony that would unite them as United States citizens.
The naturalization ceremony took place Thursday at the Two Mississippi Museums in downtown Jackson.
The ceremony is the final step in obtaining U.S. citizenship. Before the ceremony, potential citizens must submit an application; give their biometric information, if required; be interviewed by a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services officer; and take English and civics tests. If successful, they recite the oath of allegiance and receive a certificate of naturalization at a naturalization ceremony.
Though 20 people were naturalized on Thursday, 19 were present at the Jackson ceremony. Often, the naturalization ceremonies take place at federal courthouses, but with the American birthday celebration approaching, this ceremony was held at the Two Mississippi Museums.
Some, such as Nikitaben Narendrasinh Kosada, 28, have called the U.S. their home for years.
“This country has given me the opportunity to grow and build my future here,” she said.
Originally from India, she was accompanied by her boyfriend. They went to lunch to celebrate, and have plans to go out of town for the Fourth of July.
Karina Baker immigrated from Peru and obtained her U.S. citizenship at a naturalization ceremony at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Credit: Richard Lake/Mississippi TodayKarina Baker, 46, is originally from Peru. She moved to the U.S. with her husband, who is on active duty in the U.S. military.
“It means a lot, because I love this country,” she said.
“It gave me my husband, gave me my daughter, gave me the opportunity to show that we are good persons.”
She, her husband and daughter went to the Civil Rights Museum, which is part of the Two Museums complex, to celebrate. She also has two older children, one in Connecticut and the other studying in Peru.
Cecilia Ortiz, 47, is also from Peru and also originally came to the U.S. for love. She now lives with her son. She celebrated by grabbing food and visiting the museums.
Cecilia Ortiz, originally from Peru, obtained her U.S. citizenship at a naturalization ceremony at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Credit: Richard Lake/Mississippi TodayThe ceremony was a special and meaningful day for her.
“I have great friends, great people around and it’s just very moving to be part of this nation now,” she said.
“I feel blessed, I feel happy, I feel very honored to be part of this great nation.”
After the oath was said and certificates distributed, the entire room stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and listened to a performance of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”
U.S. District Judge Kristi H. Johnson, who administered the oath, congratulated the group and implored them to exercise their new rights and privileges and practice citizenship.
“You chose to join this nation. Your journeys, experiences, talents and aspirations will help define what America will become in the next 250 years,” Johnson said, acknowledging the upcoming holiday.
She added, “In many ways, today’s ceremony captures the very essence of the American story. A nation founded on ideas continues to renew itself through the people who choose to embrace them.”
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