Just before 200 New York residents became citizens at the New York Public Library Tuesday, they heard a speech.

"Today is the beginning of an obligation," the library's CEO, Tony Marx, told the crowd. "This country can only be great if its citizens embrace the responsibility to be active citizens when you see the country going in directions you don't agree with from left or right."

For many, the right to vote was something they had long been looking forward to. Rosana Felix, a 28-year-old woman from the Dominican Republic, said she's planning to vote in every election.

"You know that when you're a resident you can not vote, but when you become a citizen, you got the right to vote," she said.

Fatma Krjbo from Sierra Leone said she has watched the election process from the outside for the last 10 years she has lived in Bronx. She was so enthusiastic she said she frequently talks to her son about the democratic process and its importance. 

"About voting about exercising his right to vote and everything else," she said.

All participants met the U.S governments citizenship requirements, which includes having lived in the country for at least five years as a permanent resident; knowing the English language; and passing a civics test. As citizens, individuals can now bring family members into the U.S from their home country, and participate in elections.   

During the ceremony, held by the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services in partnership with the library, a video message from President Donald Trump aired where the president expressed the importance of being "a good citizen."

Another of the new citizens, Andahir Choudhury, a Muslim from Bangladesh, recently attended a rally opposing the Supreme Court's decision upholding the president's travel ban. He couldn't vote in the 2016 election but is looking forward to November. "Of course I'll vote, because every vote counts," Choudhury proclaimed. 

Attendees even had the opportunity to register to vote with an official outside.