Forty people from 25 countries have taken the oath to become U.S. citizens during a ceremony in Kentucky's Capitol.
U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove presided over the ceremony which was the first ever held in the 107-year-old Capitol rotunda. Participants smiled and held American flags while a choir of fifth-graders sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Republican Lieutenant Governor Jenean Hampton urged the new citizens to register to vote. Democratic Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes had kiosks set up in the hallway where people could register after the ceremony.
Earlier this year, Republican Governor Matt Bevin signed a law requiring Kentucky high school students to pass a civics test before they can graduate. The test is modeled after the questions immigrants must answer as part of the citizenship process.
