Nearly 100 become American citizens in South Side ceremony: 'It's been a long journey'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Nearly 100 people became U.S. citizens Friday in a South Side ceremony.

It comes as it's become harder for immigrants to attain U.S. citizenship due to restrictions imposed by the Trump administration.

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Several people who received citizenship Friday said this was the greatest holiday gift they could give themselves and their families. Many now feel more freedom to travel and to walk around city streets safely.

"I'm now get to go outside, get to enjoy the festivities and not have to worry about, you know, am I gonna get pulled over by ICE and stuff," Mercedes Rivera Casillas said.

Born in Mexico, Rivera Casillas says even though she had her green card and had been in America since she was 6, she avoided spending too much time out on city streets. Now, officially a U.S. citizen, she feels free.

"It's been a long journey, but I'm very, very proud, very happy, very relieved. I have my family and my girls," Rivera Casillas said.

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Tears flowed from the eyes of new citizens who have each worked hard to get to this moment.

"The Statue of Liberty is not holding a stop sign," said Congressman Mike Quigley, who represents Illinois' 5th District. "We are stronger because of our diversity. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

The swearing in of 91 new citizens at the Museum of Science and Industry comes just weeks after the Trump administration announced a pause on all immigration asylum cases, including canceling some naturalization ceremonies across the country and adding to the U.S. travel ban list.

"I was scared of traveling because they were saying, 'Oh, if you travel to your country, you cannot come back,'" Fanele Mbatha said.

Mbatha says when her mom took her and her siblings to America from South Africa, getting citizenship was the ultimate dream. She says her mom died two years ago, and now she wants to continue the legacy she left behind.

"I made her proud. This is all her hard work. She worked for me and my sister. I know it wasn't easy for her, you know, working in hotels, working in a bit just to save the money for her sister to come over here, but now I'm a United States citizen," Mbatha said.

Despite President Donald Trump's ban list, Mbatha says she looks forward to putting her U.S. passport to work.

"I want to go to Dubai. So, yeah, I'm gonna take a vacation somewhere," Mbatha said.