SPOKANE--Years of work to become a U.S. citizen paid off Tuesday for 72 people in Spokane.
The newest American citizens represent 26 countries.
Kseniya Daranutsa has been waiting for this moment her entire life. Daranutsa grew up in Moldova, a small state in Eastern Europe. At 16, she was captured and held prisoner for eight months during World War II.
After years of persecution, becoming an American is life changing.
Brazilian born Silvano Bitencourt shares a similar pride. American citizenship was only a dream for the small business owner until today. To Bitencourt, this simple piece of paper means a lifetime of opportunity, and acceptance.
