Citizens from China, Cuba and Ghana took an oath of citizenship Tuesday morning
NEWARK -- When Evelyn Ababio found out a woman was running for president in America, she knew she had to apply for citizenship.
"I'm excited to vote. I knew we had a lady coming up," the 39-year-old mother of three from Ghana said.
Ababio was one of 71 people from 32 different countries who took an oath of citizenship in the Rodino Federal Building on Tuesday.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the nation welcomes nearly 680,000 citizens during naturalization ceremonies each year. In 2014, the top countries of origin for naturalization were Mexico, India and the Philippines, USCIS said.
In 2014, New York, Newark and Jersey City topped the list of metropolitan areas of residence for naturalized citizens.
Friends and families filled the room, which looked out at the New York skyline and parts of New Jersey. They held American flag balloons, and took photos on their phones. The naturalized citizens waved tiny American flags while they sang the National Anthem.
Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr., who represents the 10th Congressional District in New Jersey, addressed the crowd as his "fellow Americans."
"Until today, you were Americans in every way, except on paper," he said.
The crowd also received words of congratulations from President Barack Obama.
"This is now officially your country," he said on a recording. "You've travelled a long path to get here."
To be eligible for naturalization, applicants must fulfill a number of requirements, according to the US. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Those include being a green card holder, "be a person of good moral character" and have knowledge of national history and government.
51-year-old Jeffrey Ruttner's 11-year-old son helped him study.
"He's a history buff," Ruttner said.
Ruttner hails from Montreal, Canada, but he's lived in America since 2000. He says he's already involved in his community and works at an Essex County public school. Now, he wants his citizenship to be official.
Like Ababio, he's also excited to vote in November's presidential elections.
"It's important," he said.
Kate Mishkin may be reached at kmishkin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KateMishkin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.