More than 325 people from 57 nations became U.S. citizens in the Reno area's largest naturalization ceremony in seven years.
People from countries such as Bangladesh, Bosnia Herzegovina, Mexico and Canada took the oath of citizenship Friday at the Atlantis Casino Resort.
The ceremony was held at the casino beause it was too large for a typical federal courthouse venue.
"Each of you is now part of America," Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., told them. "Where you originated from is who you are and that makes America great."
Washoe County Family Court Judge Frances Doherty, a naturalized citizen from Australia, swore in the new citizens.
A total of 3,789 people became naturalized in Nevada in 2002, up 7 percent from the previous year, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency.
