Georgia is now the home of 104 new U.S. citizens.

On Nov. 14, candidates for citizenship representing 53 countries around the world stood to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

Vice President Joe Biden gave the welcome remarks at the naturalization ceremony held in the Freedom Auditorium of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in downtown Atlanta.

The ceremony was one of 120 naturalization ceremonies held throughout the nation between Nov. 7 and Nov. 13 to welcome approximately 8,000 new U.S. citizens.

From the podium, Biden praised the new American citizens for their courage to start their new lives in a new country.

‘Let me start by saying, thank you so much for picking us,” said Biden.

He said the sea of faces, some of whom waved small American flags, represented the possibilities of the Unites States.

“The truth of the matter is, you’ve been an American for a long time, long before you raised your hand. Because you all adhered to the idea of America.”

But what is the “idea” of America? Here’s what the idea of America means for Vice President Joe Biden and three newly naturalized U.S. citizens.

Contributors: Alissa Fasman

Tags: Atlanta, immigration, Vice President Joe Biden, The Martin Luther King Center