Fifteen people can now officially call America home, after a nationalization ceremony on UL’s campus Monday.

About eight different countries were represented at the ceremony, with people from Iraq to Vietnam.

“I have a better life here,” Vanessa Nguyen said.

Nguyen is from Vietnam and she moved to America five years ago with her husband. She has been working to receive citizenship since then.

Nguyen says she is excited to vote and have her voice heard. She wants to fight for other immigrants who want to move here.

“We have to stand for the people,” Nguyen said. “It’s very emotional because I see some people getting denied. It’s not right. Now I can become a citizen and I can vote.”

The ceremony was part of UL’s celebration of Constitution Week. The week honors the Constitution and recognizes all U.S citizens

“When we come together to celebrate our constitution, it’s a wonderful thing,” Pearson Cross of UL said. “This does it in a way that gives it meaning, depth and heart. It shows what we stand for. ”

According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services about 45,000 people will become U.S. citizens during constitution week at more than 260 ceremonies held across the nation.