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They're no longer just visitors
nola.com ^ | 05/23/07 | Chris Kirkham

Posted on 05/23/2007 8:51:14 AM PDT by TornadoAlley3

New citizens make it official Tuesday

The line snaked around the Alario Center lobby and out the door Tuesday morning. Excited chatter in Vietnamese, Spanish, and even some African dialects reverberated through the hallways.

For some of the 300 green-card holders turned U.S. citizens who came through the Westwego events center, it was the final step in a decades-long process of becoming an American. While filling out the forms and waiting on background checks from the government, they studied in American schools, worked for American employers and raised families in American neighborhoods.

But as the Star-Spangled Banner rang out in the auditorium, it was the first time the group from 48 countries came together under one flag.

"You have to feel it in your heart; it's not just a piece of paper," said Fausto Mejia, 60, a restaurant chain owner from DeQuincy, outside Lake Charles, who first came to the United States in 1967 from the tiny Andean village of Macate, Peru. "Whenever you see the flag and hear the national anthem now, it makes you feel different. It's your flag that's flying now."

(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: greencard; newcitizens; visitors

1 posted on 05/23/2007 8:51:16 AM PDT by TornadoAlley3
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To: TornadoAlley3
These are the kind of immigrants I like....


2 posted on 05/23/2007 8:54:43 AM PDT by darkwing104 (Let's get dangerous)
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To: TornadoAlley3

They did it the right way.


3 posted on 05/23/2007 8:54:50 AM PDT by golfisnr1 (Democrats are like roaches - hard to get rid of.)
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To: darkwing104

Yes, I am proud for them.


4 posted on 05/23/2007 8:56:19 AM PDT by TornadoAlley3
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To: TornadoAlley3

I’ll wager that most of these folks aren’t in favor of the 2007 Amnesty Bill.


5 posted on 05/23/2007 8:57:24 AM PDT by atomicpossum (Replies must follow approved guidelines or you will be kill-filed without appeal.)
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To: TornadoAlley3

Our country is going to be better off with these new citizens.


6 posted on 05/23/2007 8:57:33 AM PDT by pnh102
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To: golfisnr1
“What’s a greater pleasure on your birthday than being an American citizen? That means it was meant to be,” said Van Hoorebeek, decked out in a light blue seersucker suit and a white Stetson hat and holding three American flags....
He was surrounded by an entourage of friends wearing red, white and blue “Patrick Van Hoorebeek — U.S. Citizen” buttons. Because of his strong desire to vote in this country, he even received a commemorative plaque from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
7 posted on 05/23/2007 8:58:32 AM PDT by TornadoAlley3
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To: TornadoAlley3

Great post.

A few weeks ago I was getting gas. The attendant was so happy because he was going to become an American citizen the next day. He said he was born in Syria, but he was so proud he was going to be an American. It made me kind of teary eyed to see that this man appreciated America so much.

I just love it when people appreciate this country!


8 posted on 05/23/2007 8:59:40 AM PDT by Londo Molari
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To: Londo Molari

It seems as if people like this love our country better than some born-here do.


9 posted on 05/23/2007 9:02:49 AM PDT by bicyclerepair (Ft. Lauderdale Florida.......wouldn't live anywhere else!)
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To: TornadoAlley3

What a bunch of suckers!!

They could have just walked right across the southern border, attended a rally or two, and waited for Bush and the ‘rat Congress to just give them citizenship.

Why work so hard?


10 posted on 05/23/2007 9:03:15 AM PDT by frankiep (Beer - the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems)
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To: Valin

“You have to feel it in your heart; it’s not just a piece of paper,” said Fausto Mejia, 60, a restaurant chain owner from DeQuincy, outside Lake Charles, who first came to the United States in 1967 from the tiny Andean village of Macate, Peru. “Whenever you see the flag and hear the national anthem now, it makes you feel different. It’s your flag that’s flying now.”


11 posted on 05/23/2007 9:04:02 AM PDT by Vn_survivor_67-68
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To: TornadoAlley3

Unlike their worthless illegal counterparts, these people should be welcomed with open arms.


12 posted on 05/23/2007 9:05:06 AM PDT by stm (Believe 1% of what you hear in the drive-by media and take half of that with a grain of salt)
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To: TornadoAlley3
Bravo! Welcome to you legal American immigrants!
13 posted on 05/23/2007 9:05:21 AM PDT by TChris (The Republican Party is merely the Democrat Party's "away" jersey - Vox Day)
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To: bicyclerepair

“It seems as if people like this love our country better than some born-here do.”

Unfortunately, you are correct. What should be realized is that every one of us Americans have won the lottery in life. To be born here is a great gift. I thank God that I live in the best country on Earth.


14 posted on 05/23/2007 9:23:43 AM PDT by Londo Molari
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To: Londo Molari

I often think about that when I’m sitting in my backyard, watching my kids play. The simple things in life always make us happy...but we’re so fortunate to be able to experience them and enjoy them by living in America.

I’m grateful to be an American. More so, I’m grateful my children are Americans.


15 posted on 05/23/2007 9:47:59 AM PDT by jnygrl (A big mouth coupled with a small mind is a dangerous combination)
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To: jnygrl

This is bull! DeQuincy isn’t outside of Lake Charles, its a good drive to get there!

Other then that, great article, the more of us the better :)


16 posted on 05/23/2007 11:32:09 AM PDT by Raymann
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To: Vn_survivor_67-68

Yes?...And?


17 posted on 05/23/2007 8:07:27 PM PDT by Valin (History takes time. It is not an instant thing.)
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