Twenty new U.S. citizens took the oath of citizenship Saturday in 3rd Circuit Court.

They hail from 10 countries: Cambodia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, South Africa and Vietnam.

John Kramar, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services district director, welcomed the Big Island's newest citizens, while Judge Greg Nakamura presided over the naturalization proceeding. U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai'i, herself a naturalized citizen, delivered the keynote address.

During fiscal year 2006, the immigration agency granted citizenship to 5,276 Hawai'i residents.