Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez is officially a U.S. citizen.
USCIS held a special ceremony at their field office in Kendall Friday morning where Fernandez, along with 140 other South Florida residents, became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Fernandez also served as they keynote speaker for the event, taking the Oath of Allegiance among family and friends.
In honor of his naturalization, the team presented Fernandez with an American flag that previously flew over Marlins Park, while the team congratulated him via Twitter.
Officially a U.S. citizen! Congratulations, José! pic.twitter.com/C4AwO43Ug1 — Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 24, 2015
The young pitcher came to the U.S. from his native town of Santa Clara in Cuba in 2008.
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In his 2013 professional debut season, Fernandez was named 2013 National League Rookie of the Year.
He took to Twitter Friday afternoon to express his excitement.
I'm an AMERICAN!! I'm honored & extremely grateful in becoming a U.S. Citizen today. Congrats to the 140ppl who shared this special day w me — JoseDFernandez (@JDFernandez16) April 24, 2015