KEENE, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) – Twenty-one people were sworn in as new American citizens Wednesday.

The naturalization ceremony took place at the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in Keene. The ceremony included citizens from Bakersfield, Fresno and Ridgecrest.

Arturo Rodriguez, president of the United Farmworkers Union, was the keynote speaker.

An official with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service said they hold the ceremony at national parks to introduce new citizens to some of the nation’s most significant natural resources and cultural heritage sites.