American flags dotted the crowd at the Edgartown courthouse on Friday, where 12 people were naturalized as American citizens. Family and friends joined the new citizens in singing the national anthem and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the special ceremony.

The new citizens came from across the world, including west Africa, east Asia and eastern Europe. 

“It’s crazy to think that all the hard work has finally paid off,” said Camila Zylberman, who has lived in the country since 2019. “I feel good.” 

Ms. Zylberman moved to the U.S. from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and now lives in Falmouth with her husband, who she met while working at a resort in Utah on a J-1 visa. The couple were celebrating their five-year wedding anniversary Friday. 

Judge James Lang presided over the ceremony. — Jonathan Fleischmann

T. George Davis, the court clerk, administered the oath of allegiance and Judge James Lang presided over the naturalization ceremony, his first in almost 12 years working as a Massachusetts superior court judge.

“We are known as a country of immigrants and as a melting pot, which may seem like cliches, but they are not,” Judge Lang told the crowd. 

He emphasized that except for the Indigenous population of the country, such as the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), citizens of the country are all children of immigrants. He went on to share his own family’s story of coming to the country during the Great Famine in Ireland.

“These immigrant stories are what this country is all about. They are your stories, which are still being written,” he told the new citizens. “It takes true courage to leave behind your country of birth. I admire each and every one of you so much.”

Amid the celebrations, John McCarthy, a community relations specialist with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, reminded new citizens of the privileges and responsibilities now available to them, including voting. He urged them to connect with their local election offices and register to vote before the commonwealth’s Oct. 26 registration deadline.

Each citizen received a standing ovation as Judge Lang handed them their certificates of naturalization. Families and friends filed out of the courtroom, taking pictures and waving flags as they left.

“I feel amazing. It’s amazing to be here and to be a citizen,” said Anna Paula Martines, who is currently based in South Yarmouth and hails from Londrina, Brazil. “It’s a blessing.”