Twenty immigrants became American citizens Tuesday at an oath ceremony at Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum in Norwalk.

Many spent as much as a decade waiting to finally become naturalized United States citizens. 

"I never thought I would become a U.S. citizen," says Gudit Olah-Dulcz, who is from Hungary and came to the United States to follow her husband, a chef.

In all, the immigrants came from 16 different countries.

"I believe we're all Americans," says Jose Zapata, a student at Housatonic Community College and Bridgeport resident. "We came from different countries, but at the end of the day we are all Americans."

This marks the third straight year the mansion hosted the event rather than a federal courthouse.