CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — A few new records were broken in the area as the U.S. District Court in Clarksburg held its annual naturalization ceremony on Friday.

During the ceremony, 31 individuals were officially welcomed as United States citizens, the most that the court has seen yet in a ceremony. People migrated to West Virginia from 18 countries including China, Ukraine, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ghana, Fiji and Brazil for the opportunities the United States has to offer.

The process to become a naturalized citizen takes a few years and a lot of determination as a background check and written exam are included. Chief United States District Judge Thomas Kleeh led the ceremony and discussed its significance.

“It is a tremendously humbling day,” Kleeh said. “Those of us who were fortunate enough to be born here in the United States and enjoy all the amazing aspects of living in the greatest country in the world, we often take it for granted because we get busy with the day-to-day, and this day is such a great reminder that folks are not as fortunate as we are.”

This ceremony also included a new record of 7 individuals coming to the United States from the Philippines.

Another naturalization ceremony will be held in Elkins this August.