Posted on 09/17/2005 9:14:09 AM PDT by SandRat
The same immigration agents who, day after day, encouraged the cleaning lady at their office to become a citizen on Friday saw Blanca Ruiz finally take the oath.
Ruiz, a native of Mexico, was among nearly 500 immigrants sworn in as U.S. citizens at this year's largest naturalization ceremony in Tucson. The ceremony recognized Citizenship Day, which is celebrated today.
The Tucson Convention Center teemed with proud new citizens from 69 countries. Mexico contributed the most people, close to 300.
Ruiz, who is from the state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico, took it all in. At 60, she almost couldn't believe she had just become an American.
She admits she might never have taken the oath of citizenship without prodding from the federal employees. She started cleaning the building they work in five years ago and came to know the workers in between vacuuming and dusting.
"I thought I couldn't become a citizen because of my age and because I don't speak English fluently," a beaming Ruiz said in Spanish. Her friends insisted that she could - and Ruiz said she's glad she listened.
After Friday's 11 a.m. ceremony, Bill Johnston, who heads the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office, and his colleagues took Ruiz out to lunch to celebrate her achievement.
"She's like one of our own becoming a citizen," Johnston said. "She's like part of our family."
Family members were plentiful at the Convention Center, where new citizens received hugs, kisses and accolades from parents, grandparents, husbands, wives and children.
For the new citizens, the ceremony was the final step in their quest to obtain citizenship.
Many had to take English lessons in addition to civics and citizenship classes to prepare for the written and oral exams.
Binh Huynh, who was born in Vietnam, said after the ceremony that he felt relieved. Grinning, he clutched a miniature U.S. flag tightly and draped his free arm around his son, Duong Huynh, 8.
"I'm just excited," Huynh said.
Next to him were two other Vietnam natives he had met at the ceremony, Thu Le, 38, and Hong Le, 35. The two women, who are not related, said they also were thrilled with their new legal status.
"I want to live here forever, so I became a U.S. citizen," said Hong Le.
Canadian native Gita Bewtra, who moved here 14 years ago, said it was time to become a citizen. She said she's looking forward to voting for the first time.
"It's been frustrating, not being able to vote," said Bewtra, 23.
Nancy Smith, 25, and her sister, Candice Guevara, 26, chose to become citizens at the same time. They moved to this country as children with their mother, Cheryl Rodin-Aidara. She became a citizen several years ago.
"As a citizen I can vote, and I can have more opportunities," Smith said.
Both U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Marshall, who conducted the 11 a.m. ceremony, and Mayor Bob Walkup, its featured speaker, told the new citizens that voting was among the civic responsibilities that come with citizenship.
"Your vote is your voice in this country," Marshall said.
Walkup told the group that their presence will strengthen the city's racial diversity. "That's what makes Tucson a great place," he said.
While encouraging the new citizens to embrace their newly adopted country, Walkup also said they must not forget old traditions that can enrich the United States. "It makes us a great city, it makes us a great country," he said.
Being able to vote is one reason Ramona Romo said she became a citizen at 39. The Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, native registered to vote outside the Convention Center right after the ceremony.
"I'm just so happy," she said, smiling. Waiting nearby were her husband, Francisco, and the couple's 4-year-old daughter, Kenya.
The family, which includes two other children, Francisco, 16, and Anna, 14, planned to celebrate the mother's milestone at a Mexican Independence Day fiesta.
"I'm a U.S. citizen now, but I can't forget my roots," Romo said.
New Citizens Ping
At what point can we stop immigration? The US will be as crowded as India before you know it.
When we get a House, Senate, Judiciary, Executive branch with a set of "el grande cajones" to go back to the nation of origen quota system and re-establish in-processing points like Ellis Island with strict medical clearance ruls -------
and ENFORCE IT along with all ILLEGALS BEING DEPORTED!
BTTT!!!!!
Well said.
Congrats to these folks for passing the first test of citizenship by respecting our laws and doing things properly. They have worked hard while resisting the temptation to take the easy route.
465 new Democrat voters.
"We are not going to become as crowded as India, Americans build civilization as it is required."
I can show you a lot of places in Jersey and beyond that counters your statement about not becoming like India.
Welcome aboard Mrs. Ruiz! Congrats to all of them.
Nothing in this article says these people were legal immigrants. How do you become a citizen without taking a test in English?
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