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Dozens Sworn In As New U.S. Citizens In South Boston

BOSTON (CBS) -- Dozens of people from all across the globe raised their right hands and swore allegiance to the United States this Independence Day.

At the Moakley Federal Courthouse in South Boston, U.S. District Judge George O'Toole Jr. presided as candidates from 31 different countries, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Iran, Kenya, Mexico and Nicaragua, took their oaths of citizenship.

Among them was Gene Levin from Ukraine, who has lived in the United States for 20 years. He was all smiles Monday morning as he joined his citizen wife, who took the oath several years ago.

"We love Ukraine so very much," she said. "But freedom, you could get only in America."

Both say they are very grateful for the American health care system, as they both went through cancer.

"American medicine is the best in the world," Gene said.

"I'm feeling like I'm home," said one woman from Morocco, after taking the oath.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalized over 7,000 new citizens over the Independence Day holiday, during over 100 naturalization ceremonies, some at national parks and monuments, held between June 30 and July 4.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal reports

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