While it might have been Fourth of July festivities that drew big crowds to the Empire State Plaza, another, more solemn ceremony also took place there. Our Erin Vannella was on hand as 20 new citizens joined the ranks of celebrating Americans.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- Ahead of the fireworks and other festivities at the plaza, a more solemn ceremony took place. Twenty new Americans were sworn in during a naturalization ceremony.

The new citizens come from 15 different countries from Cameroon to Iran and are now able to call the U.S. their official home.

People we spoke with told us having the naturalization ceremony on the Fourth of July made the holiday and milestone in their lives extra special.

“This is where I wanna live for the rest of my life and imp glad America is giving me this opportunity and to be here,” said Vasyl Hereha

Hereha says he's been in the U.S. for 14 years, after moving here from the Ukraine as a small child.