During a special outdoor ceremony in the courtyard of the federal building in downtown Los Angeles, 25 immigrants from different parts of the world, became new American citizens, including health workers who have fought the COVID pandemic – 19, teachers and even a member of the armed forces.
“Becoming a citizen after a long road is taking a step towards freedom and empowerment,” said Zulma Latino excitedly while holding the United States flag and her naturalization certificate.
She emigrated from Colombia 7 years ago, two years later she became a resident and three years ago the process for citizenship began. “COVID delayed the process a lot and I never imagined that I would become a citizen wearing a mask, but I am happy. Being a citizen is something wonderful that makes me feel freer, especially because I come from a country with many restrictions and that is still going through a very bad and sad time. ”
And being a citizen has filled her with dreams. “I feel like this is the time to speak up for the voiceless. We are here to help and be good people. I want to be better. ”
The new citizen works in health care, but recognizes that in the labor field she has done everything to make her way in this country. “It has not been easy at all, but I can see myself in a few years with my own business.”
She was the recently appointed chief of staff of the Citizenship and Migration Service (USCIS), Felicia Escobar Carrillo who swore in the new citizens.
“ I have had the opportunity to participate in many ceremonies, but this is the first time I have administered the oath of allegiance, and it is my first opportunity to participate in a naturalization ceremony as the new USCIS chief of staff ”.
He told the new citizens that having a ceremony in person, is testament to the hard work, skill, and fortitude that Americans have shown during the COVID pandemic – 19.
“I ask you to give the same energy and dedication that it took you to get to this point, to give back. Get involved in your children’s school and in your community. Help your churches or volunteer with a local organization, serve in our military, open a business, register to vote, or even run for public office. The United States needs them.
But he also stated that the Biden administration works to make the naturalization process more accessible to potential new citizens who are considering applying for citizenship.
“USCIS is working to develop a governmental approach to promote naturalization through a new Interagency Task Force on Naturalization launched by President Biden in his executive order on restoring faith in our legal immigration systems and strengthening integration and inclusion efforts for new Americans ”
Escobar Carrillo urged new citizens to share their path to citizenship with their friends and neighbors. “You can serve as an inspiration to millions who are eligible to naturalize.”
USCIS Chief Attorney Ashley Tabaddor was the one who took the pledge of allegiance to the new citizens.
The 25 new citizens are from 15 countries: Algeria, Armenia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, El Salvador, Iran, Israel, Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Switzerland and Venezuela.
One of the new citizens is a member of the Armed Forces, but there were health workers, students and two teachers.
Salvadoran Marvin Aparicio was happy with his naturalization certificate in hand. “I arrived in the 2011. Thank God I entered legally and had 10 years with my residency. ”
He mentioned that it was last year when he began his citizenship process that culminated in his swearing-in on Monday, May 3.
“I’m starting my career as a trailer driver. Maybe in a month I will be able to drive ”, he shared.
And he is convinced that being a citizen will give him more benefits. “Mr will allow you to work in a federal office and vote.”
Visibly moved, Blanca Estela Meléndez said that As a citizen of the United States, she feels that the sky is the limit.
“I was born in Mexico City. My parents brought me in when I was 3 years old, now I am 38 years old and I must say that it was a difficult and very long road to reach citizenship. ”
He thanked this country for all the opportunities and his parents for having brought it. “It has been worth all your effort. Now I want to get involved in everything possible, in the government and in the schools of my two daughters. ”
Blanca Estela who works in the plastic surgery industry, planned to celebrate her citizenship with a meal with her father who came from Mexico exclusively to accompany her on one of the most important days of her daughter’s life, her naturalization ceremony.
“It has been a very emotional day. Things couldn’t go any better ”, he said happily.
In the fiscal year 2020, USCIS has naturalized approximately 625,000 people.