More than anything, Abdi Nor Iftin has wanted to be able to call himself an American. On Friday, that dream came true when he officially became a citizen at a naturalization ceremony in Portland.

Abdi Nor Iftin puts on his suit jacket before tucking his red, white and blue-starred tie into his vest on Friday morning before the naturalization ceremony in Portland where he earned his U.S. citizenship.

He prepares for his naturalization ceremony at his host home in Yarmouth.

More than anything, Abdi Nor Iftin has wanted to be able to call himself an American.

Abdi Nor Iftin reads the Pledge of Allegiance during a Naturalization Ceremony on Friday at Ocean Gateway.

More than anything, Abdi Nor Iftin has wanted to be able to call himself an American.

On Friday, Abdi Nor Often officially became a citizen.His long and harrowing journey from Somalia and Kenya to Maine has been well documented both by a famous "This American Life" episode and in a book he wrote that came out two years ago.

Abdi Nor Iftin registers to vote immediately after earning his citizenship.

Newly naturalized, Abdi Nor Iftin applauds at the commencement of the ceremony that made him a citizen.

A Certificate of Citizenship sits on Abdi Nor Iftin's lap Friday.

Abdi Nor Iftin poses for a portrait with his host family after a naturalization ceremony. He is with, from right, Sharon McDonnell, Gib Parrish and Natalya McDonnell.

Abdi Nor Iftin wears an American flag pin on his jacket lapel as he prepares for his naturalization ceremony on Friday morning.