"Good morning. My name is Warner Gonzalo Ortiz. I'm from Central America, Costa Rica."

Ortiz and 33 others stood up to introduce themselves to a courtroom full of family and friends, present to watch the first-ever group receive their U.S. citizenship in Panama City's Federal courthouse.

Hailing from more than 25 different countries, each had their own reasons for wanting to call America home.

"I planned to just come here and learn the language and discover and go back to school, but I just fell in love with the country and I stayed here," said Rita Bunhunyadi, a new U.S. citizen.

Becoming a U.S. citizen is a process that can take many years.

"It was 10 years waiting and finally the day came," Veronica Rebecca Hall, a new U.S. citizen.

Each candidate took an oath to the United States during the ceremony. Then they heard a few words from the president.

“I am proud you are now citizens of our country and I am honored to be your president," said George W. Bush over a video message.

"I think it's a great country. I love it here," said Kristyna Alcaide, a new U.S. citizen.

"I'm glad to be an American," said Nanhunyadi.

And you could see their U.S. pride on each face as they received their certificate of citizenship, making them official Americans.

Judge Smoak says Panama City will now hold a naturalization ceremony approximately every three months. In the past, candidates had to travel as far as Jacksonville for their naturalization ceremony.