Independence Day Children's Citizenship Ceremony Takes Place At Betsy Ross House

By Hadas Kuznits

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia has 13 new US citizens, as of the 4th of July. An Independence Day Children's Citizenship Ceremony took place at the Betsy Ross House.

Patricia Coyne with the Daughters of the American Revolution says the Children's Citizenship Ceremony has been taking place together with the Let Freedom Ring ceremony here at the Betsy Ross House for the past 9 years:

"We started working with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and they identified 13 young people who were eligible to become citizens."

The children recite their oath of allegiance. Fourteen-year-old Joseph Valdecanas, of the Philippines was among the children receiving their citizenship on the 4th of July.

Kuznits: "What does it mean for you now to become an American Citizen?"

"It feels really good, now I have all my rights!"

Kuznits: "What was the ceremony like for you to be inducted on the 4th of July with 12 other children.

"I think it's really important that we're celebrating the birth of our country. Now it's my country also; it feels really good."