73 Immigrants Gain Citizenship In Time For Thanksgiving
CHICAGO (CBS) -- On the eve of Thanksgiving, 73 men and women - most of them residents of the city of Chicago - became American citizens in a ceremony at the Harold Washington Library.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel told the new Americans, no matter where they came from, they now share in the chance to give the next generation something.
"Your journey's not done because you're building a future, and your future is America's future. Your success is America's success," the mayor said.
Immigrants Gain Citizenship For Thanksgiving
One of the new citizens is 31-year-old Alain Uy, who came here from the Philippines more than 20 years ago - and last year opened a restaurant, Jellyfish, on Rush Street.
He said he believes America is the land of opportunity.
"But at the same time I don't think it just comes to you. You have to go and create those opportunities for yourself with a lot of hard work," Uy said. "I've been in the restaurant industry since I was 15 and I promised my parents I'd be opening a restaurant. And 15 years later, here we are."
A week and a half ago, Uy's restaurant raised money to help typhoon victims in the Philippines.
The 73 new citizens come from 26 countries.
