Dinorah Mull hadn’t thought twice about her three decades in the United States.

She had immigrated from Mexico to Texas as a child and moved to Connecticut for a number of years before landing in New Hampshire, never feeling the need to apply for citizenship.

This year felt different.

“I didn’t really think it made too much of a difference before, and I think it culminated and came to a head,” she said. “I think my voice needs to be heard, so I decided to be able to enforce my civic duty as a citizen in our country.”

Mull, 42, was one of 71 new United States citizens sworn in during a naturalization ceremony at the federal courthouse in Concord on Friday.

At a time when President Donald Trump has reshaped the immigration landscape in the United States — suspending refugee admissions, increasing deportations and revoking student visas — the celebration came with a strong message about the role immigrants play in weaving the fabric of the country and upholding American values.

“We are a nation of immigrants. Our families came to America seeking a better life,” said Magistrate Judge Andrea Johnstone, who administered the oath. “Many of you faced adversity and overcame significant obstacles to reach this moment, struggled and made sacrifices to earn the right to call America your home.”

Johnstone is a first-generation immigrant herself; both of her parents were naturalized American citizens originally from Poland and Germany.

“Our families all came here from somewhere else, but we are united by our identity as Americans and our commitment to the ideals of the nation that we have chosen as a home today,” she said.

Mull’s parents became naturalized citizens a few years ago. For her, the ceremony — where she shook hands and posed for a photo with Johnstone, Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Rep. Maggie Goodlander — was “surreal.”

“It is very much a sense of relief,” she said. “I’m glad it’s done and I can start a new chapter in my life.”

Mull was not the only new citizen who decided to become naturalized after decades in the United States.

Hugo Loera, 63, moved to New Hampshire from Mexico in 2000, and he said it was “about time” he became a citizen.

His brother was an exchange student in Alton when Leora was a child and came home with tall tales of the Granite State. Years later, Loera got a job in Massachusetts, and he decided to move his family to Nashua.

Leora’s wife took classes at the Adult Learning Center in Nashua, where she was able to become more proficient in English. In school, his children found a set of mentors who were willing to raise them, despite language barriers.

“The piano teacher, the karate teacher, the chemistry teacher,” he said. “All of them.”

Johnstone encouraged new citizens to engage with and give back to the communities that have welcomed them to New Hampshire by volunteering in schools, on town boards, seeking elected office or serving in the military.

Newly naturalized citizens can also do good by teaching their children and grandchildren about the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, she said.

For the ceremony, three year old John Kanu Jr. dressed up in a silk blue bow tie. He sat in the last row clutching an American flag, as his father, also John Kanu, was sworn in.

Newborn Aavya Bhattarai got an early lesson in patriotism, too.

Her parents, Prabhat and Neeru Bhattarai, were set to be sworn in as citizens last month until Neeru went into labor. Prabhat left the hospital for the ceremony, and his daughter was born the next day.

At one month and three weeks old, Aavya dressed up for her mother’s ceremony in American flag bell-bottom pants and a red shirt that read, “American babe.” She slept in her father’s arms while Neeru was finally sworn in.

For Prabhat, the ceremony was an emotional occasion: His new family is now comprised of all new citizens, eight years after leaving Nepal for the United States.

“When you decide to move to another country from your born country, there are hurdles and a process,” he said. “It’s a sense of relief.”

Michaela Towfighi can be reached at mtowfighi@cmonitor.com