Since arriving in the United States from Guyana in 1985 at age 18, Lotwyn Nedd has lived a full life.

Nedd married his wife, Andrea Nedd, had five children and worked as a New York City Transit Authority bus operator.

But after 40 years of building a life in this country, Nedd and 85 others officially became United States citizens at a naturalization ceremony on Thursday — the first since the government shutdown ended.

"We are a better nation because you came," U.S. Circuit Court Judge Joseph F. Bianco told the new citizens.

The ceremony began with Bianco administering the Oath of Allegiance, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, in the Alfonse M. D'Amato U.S. Courthouse in Central Islip to new citizens from 37 different countries in front of their friends and family.

"You have waited

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