After a six-year stay in the United States, 103-year-old Hong Inh fulfilled her lifelong goal of becoming a U.S. citizen on Tuesday.

Four generations of Inh's family gathered to celebrate her citizenship as Inh held an American flag in her hand and a bright smile on her face in downtown Los Angeles.

"It's amazing," Inh's great-granddaughter Melissa Tea said. "I'm so excited. She's so excited. My family's excited."

Inh emigrated to the U.S. from Cambodia nearly six years ago, but said it has always been a dream of hers to become a citizen. She came to the United States to join other family members who have lived here for several decades.

"It has always been her dream to become a citizen and come to America because after the war, she didn't want to live in Cambodia because of the living conditions," Tea said. "She always wanted to come here because of the rights and she hears so many things about this place."

Inh was one of the more than 10,000 people who took the citizenship oath Tuesday, with more than 120 nationalities represented.

"It's just really exciting to see those types of cases come to fruition and see that dream become a reality for them," said Donna Campagnolo, district director for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.



At 103, Inh is the oldest newest citizen in Los Angeles.

Now that she is an American, the great-grandmother said she's most looking forward to voting.

"She feels so happy today," a granddaughter said, translating for Inh.

