MAMMOTH CAVE – They went into Mammoth Cave as immigrants and emerged as U.S. citizens.

In a section of the cave known as the Methodist Church because it was used as a worship site in the late 19th century, people from countries as far-flung as Taiwan, Senegal and Colombia gathered Friday for their naturalization ceremony.

With dim illumination provided by scattered light fixtures, U.S. District Court Judge Greg Stivers stepped up to a podium in front of 37 men and women who represented 20 countries of origin.

Stivers spoke about the country being strengthened by immigrants throughout its history.

“I’m always reminded when we do these ceremonies that since the founding of this country that our nation has always found strength drawn from all over the world, where its citizens come from, and that tradition continues today,” he said.

Though social turmoil is frequently featured in the news, Stivers said he expected the new citizens have already found the country to be a mostly welcoming place.

“I think that each of you and your families will find this to be true, that the vast majority of Americans have and will continue to welcome you and take you into their arms as our country’s newest citizens,” he said.

Mammoth Cave National Park Superintendent Barclay Trimble spoke at the ceremony as well. “I get the great privilege of being the first to say to you, ‘My fellow Americans,’ ” he said.

Trimble said park officials consider the cave to be a good place for the ceremony because of its history and significance.

“We believe this is a great location for this ceremony as the park is a World Heritage site, it’s an international biosphere and it is world- renowned,” he said.

Trimble also called attention to the importance of immigrants in the nation’s fabric.

“You come from many different backgrounds, you have different ways of worshipping, different kinds of foods that bring you comfort and … many amazing ideas that will now permanently contribute to America’s rich diversity of cultures,” he said.

Mohammed Musawi and his wife, Shahad Alsaegh, who are from Iraq, were among those who became U.S. citizens Friday.

Musawi, who attended with his three U.S.-born children and his mother, said it had long been his dream to earn a Ph.D. in either the United States or United Kingdom.

While he was interested in furthering his education, Musawi said he also wanted to live somewhere that was more secure.

“There is a bad security situation over there. That’s not all the time. It’s on and off, but still there is a bad security situation,” he said.

Musawi, who recently attained an MBA in mechanical engineering from the University of Louisville, said the United States, with its freedom of religion and freedom of speech, has been a great place to raise his family.

“As a person moved to the United States when I’m 33 years old, there are some difficulties. Left another part of my family, my friends, plus the delicious food but after a while, I get it, my family get it and everything (is) all right.”

Anil Kattel, who was born in a United Nations refugee camp in Nepal after his parents were forced to migrate out of the country in an ethnic cleansing campaign, has been living in the United States since he was 12.

Now 22, Kattel said knowing he’s now a citizen of the country that’s given him so much feels surreal.

“This is something we have never dreamed of,” he said. “Back in the camps, all we could do was hope to be alive the next day. It was hard to survive, to earn a living.”

Kattel, who lives in Louisville, said his family came to the U.S. in search of freedom and better educational and health care opportunities.

“It feels like we’re in heaven,” he said.

Kattel said he and his family have been astounded at the sort of resources and opportunities that are readily available in the U.S.

“America is renowned as a dream land where anyone can convert his or her dreams into reality,” he said.