Many immigrants view the United States military as a gateway to citizenship, yet the road from soldier to citizen is rarely smooth. Despite wearing the uniform, foreign-born troops often encounter hurdles that can prolong or complicate their naturalization journey.

Three citizenship ceremonies in the nation’s capital highlighted the resilience of thousands of immigrants who are now officially part of the American community. Despite a year of changes and challenges to the naturalization process, each ceremony felt inspiring and hopeful. Those in attendance celebrated a major milestone in the pursuit of shared values and inclusion.