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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It was a very special day for more than a 100 South Florida residents who became American citizens Friday. Among them was a holocaust survivor who’s 100 years old!
It took a while, but Menia Perelman is finally a U.S. citizen.
“It’s a little tardy, but I’m happy,” she said. “At least I’m a U.S. citizen.”
Better late than never, as Perleman joined 134 others from 26 different countries in taking the oath of citizenship Friday at government offices in Kendall.
“I’d like to acknowledge Mrs. Menia Perleman, originally from the Ukraine, our newest citizen at 100 years old,” an official said at the ceremony.
Perleman survived four years in a Nazi concentration camp, only to be turned away from the U.S. after the war because of immigration restrictions.
Perleman and her husband settled in Latin America until 1993 when she finally made it to the U.S.
Her daughters and other family members made the trip to South Florida to witness the milestone.
“I came all the way from the Dominican Republic for this special occasion. And we’re all very excited for her to be becoming an American citizen,” her daughter, Tania, said.
So why now, at 100 years old, did she want to make it official? It’s simple. She wanted to vote in this year’s presidential election.
For whom, you might be wondering?
“You know, it’s a secret, but I will tell you. Hillary. Hillary,” she said.