Syveste and Glody Divava couldn’t hide their smiles on Monday.

The brothers, who immigrated with family from the Congo nearly more than five years ago, became U.S. citizens in a special naturalization ceremony at the Renton Library. They call Kent home today.

“It’s a special day,” said Syveste, 19, who works for Amazon. “I took a lot of work, but it’s great to become an American citizen.”

Glody, 21, who works for UPS, added: “It feels great. I can now have a passport.”

Megan Kenny, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Seattle Field Office Supervisory Immigration Services officer, administered the Oath of Allegiance to 29 of America’s newest citizens during the ceremony, the first of its kind in the library since its renovation.

The new citizens, who all live in the local area, come from 17 nations.

Gary Wasdin, King County Library System director, was the keynote speaker.

One of the new citizens, Auburn’s Na “Nay” Young Park, performed the National Anthem. She sang professionally in her home country, South Korea. Park works in supply chain support for TMX Aerospace in Kent.

USCIS invited new citizens and their families and friends to share the experience via Twitter, using #newUScitizen.

PHOTO BELOW:

Na “Nay” Young Park, performs the National Anthem. She sang professionally in her home country, South Korea. She lives today in Auburn.