AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) - 46 people became U.S. citizens today during a naturalization ceremony at the Akron Public Library hosted by Congresswoman Emilia Sykes.

Friends and family waved American flags in celebration as their loved ones took the oath of citizenship and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Among the new citizens was Jesus Soto, whose journey to this moment took 37 years. Soto came to the United States from Mexico at 4 years old, brought by a mother searching for a better life.

“Back in the 80s it was definitely more difficult in Mexico than it is now,” Soto said.

His daughter, Edith Soto, watched as her father walked across the stage to receive his citizenship papers.

“It makes me teary-eyed — his whole life, all he’s known is working hard and doing what he can with what he ha

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