Thousands of new Americans opt for 'ultimate act of inclusion' despite obstacles

Ashely Lezama (left), of Honduras, stands outside after her first naturalization ceremony at the Albert V. Bryan Federal Courthouse in Alexandria, Va. David Diemert, of Canada, and Zaida Meza, of Guatemala, stand outside after their naturalization ceremony at the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Court House in Washington, D.C.

Three citizenship ceremonies NPR attended in the Washington, D.C. area in January were largely celebratory experiences, despite a year of hurdles and changes to the naturalization process.

(Image credit: Michael McCoy and Maansi Srivastava for NPR)