Zahraa Atiyah, originally from Iraq, waves an American flag after taking the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony on Friday at Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland. Atiyah, who lives in Augusta, has been in the United States for four years.

Tonton Gbia, right, hugs Gedeon Mayombo after receiving their certificates of naturalization during a ceremony on Friday at Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland. Both men are originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

HyungYong Choi, originally from South Korea, receives a bouquet of flowers after receiving a Certificate of Naturalization during a ceremony on Friday at Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland. Choi, who lives in Presque Isle, has been in the United States for 20 years.

Jonathan Kasongo and his son AÕmari Kasongo, 4, share a smile during reception before a naturalization ceremony on Friday at Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland. The Kasongos were there to support a friend from Somalia who was becoming a U.S. citizen.

Punsisi Ratnayake, originally of Sri Lanka, receives a bouquet of flowers after receiving a Certificate of Naturalization during a ceremony on Friday at Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland. Ratnayake, who lives in Scarborough, has been in the United States for 14 years.

Regine Ndayizeye, originally of Burundi, waves to the audience at Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland on Friday before receiving her Certificate of Naturalization.

Regine Ndayizeye, originally of Burundi, is surrounded by her family as she poses for a photograph after receiving a Certificate of Naturalization during a ceremony at Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland on Friday.

Mary Chukwu, originally of Nigeria, poses with her Certificate of Naturalization while her son Augustine Christopher takes a photo following a ceremony on Friday at Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland. Chukwu, who lives in Bangor, has been in the United States for six years.

Larissa Brovataya, originally of Kazakhstan, shakes hands with students of Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland after receiving a Certificate of Naturalization during a ceremony on Friday. Brovataya, who lives in Old Orchard Beach, has been in the United States for five years.

Gedeon Mayombo, left, Tonton Gbia, Regine Ndayizeye and Elsa Nzomukunda raise their hands as they and about 30 others from 20 different nations take the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony on Friday at Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland.

Larissa Brovataya, center, originally of Kazakhstan, raises her hand as she and about 30 others from 20 different nations take the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony on Friday at Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland.

Andy Bukuru, center, congratulates his mother Regine Ndayizeye, originally of Burundi, during a naturalization ceremony on Friday at Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland. Tonton Gbia, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is at left.