Becoming a naturalized citizen is a long but rewarding process.

On Monday morning, inside the Woodland Public Library, that long process and journey for 30 local residents with the ultimate goal of becoming United States citizens culminated with a small and intimate naturalization ceremony organized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the ceremony below the library in the Leake Center at 250 First St. hosted dozens of family, friends and supporters of the 30 immigrants from 13 countries, including Afghanistan, India, Mexico, Argentina, Bangladesh, France, Canada, Iran, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sudan and Venezuela.

Woodland Mayor Tania Garcia-Cadena, who held an interest in the event as the daughter of a naturalized citizen, was the special host for the festivities.

“The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office reached out to me and asked if I was interested in participating as part of Women’s History Month,” Garcia-Cadena said. “So I was more than excited to participate. The ceremony was actually more emotional than I thought it was going to be. Just knowing that people have chosen to come here and become citizens of our country and participate as naturalized citizens is amazing.”

After a brief introduction followed by a video rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, USCIS Sacramento Field Office Director Rebecca Sheehy gave some opening remarks mentioning the countries where each of the 30 candidates originated. Following Sheehy’s statement, the Oath of Allegiance was administered.

Garcia-Cadena then had some congratulatory remarks for all those in attendance.

“Woodland is a mix of nationalities and ethnicities, and I think that’s what makes up our great diverse population,” Garcia-Cadena said afterward. “It’s part of what makes our city so interesting. I have spoken to Rebecca with the USCIS, and we are already planning for the next one.”

Karandev Singh, 33, originally from India, was one of the 30 in attendance. Singh, who has lived in Yolo County for the past 20 years, settled in Davis at 13 and attended Davis High School and then UC Davis.

“Today has been 20 years in the making,” Singh said. “It’s been a long wait, but it’s very, very special today. You imagine this day to come, and then eventually, it happens. I’m feeling relieved, in a sense. I’ve been waiting for so long. I’m excited and happy to be part of the United States. It’s the only country I’ve known for so many years. Knowing that I am a part of the country and have every right to be a citizen here feels great.”

Following the first Pledge of Allegiance as citizens from the 30 in attendance and a pre-recorded video from President Joe Biden welcoming them, Sheehy and another representative from the USCIS handed out the morning’s greatest prize, citizenship certificates.

“It’s just a great day,” Sheehy said. “We are so lucky to be hosted by the Woodland Public Library. It’s always moving when we are at events like this. It never gets old. Finally, getting them to the step of becoming U.S. citizens is really great.”