Brittney Murry, from Canada registers to vote after becoming a US citizen at a naturalization ceremony at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, Va., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Juan Andres Gutierrez, from Costa Rica, raises his fist in the air after becoming a US citizen at a naturalization ceremony at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, Va., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Denese Mcgeer from South Africa, center, poses for a photo with her family at her naturalization ceremony at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, Va., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Hana Bedada, from Ethiopia, and Yanira Southern, from Spain, line up to register to vote after becoming US citizens at a naturalization ceremony at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, Va., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Fernanda Marinic-Rojas holds an American flag as her mother, Orquidea Rojas, from Mexico, fills out her voter registration paperwork after a naturalization ceremony at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, Va., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Fernanda Marinic-Rojas holds an American flag as her mother, Orquidea Rojas, from Mexico, fills out her voter registration paperwork after a naturalization ceremony at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, VA, on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Abhishek Kesarwani, from India, poses for a selfie with his son Prajya Kesarwani after he becomes a US citizen at a naturalization ceremony at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, Va., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Jing, from China and her mother Qing pose for a photo together after Jing became a US citizen at a naturalization ceremony at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, Va., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Adriano Mendoza, who was born in Peru, closes his eyes as he emerges from his naturalization ceremony as a US citizen at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, Va., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
US Marine Lance Corporal Montel Dobson, who is from Liberia, is congratulated and thanked for his service by several strangers after his naturalization ceremony as a US citizen at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, Va., on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
US Marine Lance Corporal Montel Dobson, who is from Liberia, is congratulated and thanked for his service by several strangers after his naturalization ceremony as a US citizen at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, VA, on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
A woman holds an American flag after her naturalization ceremony at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, VA, on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Jing, from China, and her mother Qing smile and laugh together after Jing became a US citizen at a naturalization ceremony at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, VA, on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Anong "Bun" Torit, who is from Thailand, sits with her certificate and flowers from her husband after her naturalization ceremony as a US citizen at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, VA, on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.
Virginia’s newest Americans hail from all over the world — from Thailand to Trinidad and Tobago, Germany to Guyana. They came for many reasons and under radically different circumstances.
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