Posted on 11/18/2014 6:42:03 AM PST by don-o
Sgt. Gustavo Antonio Arroliga-Lopez, a Marine recruiter in Woodbridge and a native of Nicaragua, takes the Oath of Allegiance during Monday’s naturalization ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Four Marines were among the 26 newest citizens hailing from 20 different countries. (Photo by John Hollis ) Four Marines were among the group of 26 candidates from 20 different countries to officially become American citizens during Monday’s naturalization ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Leon Rodriguez, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, administered the Oath of Allegiance and presented each of the candidates for naturalization before a large crowd of family and friends.
The fact that the ceremony fell on the 239th birthday of the Marine Corps and on the eve of Veterans Day was an added bonus, said Sgt. Gustavo Antonio Arroliga-Lopez, Marine recruiter in Woodbridge.
“It means a lot to me because not only am I becoming a U.S. citizen, but also because it’s the birthday of the Marine Corps,” he said. “That makes it so much more special.”
As part of the conditions required for citizenship, candidates were tested on their ability to speak and write English, as well their knowledge of American history and government.
The ceremony, which is believed to be the first of its kind at the NMMC, was one of the nearly 40 the USCIS is holding for service members, military spouses and veterans across the country from Nov. 7-14 to welcome 3,000 new citizens.
Since September 2002, USCIS has naturalized more than 102,000 service members, including individuals serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, South Korea, Germany, Japan and elsewhere, according to the organization’s website.
“So many journeys here today,” said Rodriguez, who referred to his own parents immigrating to America from Cuba in 1961, “but we are all united in a belief in America and a commitment to service.”
Arroliga-Lopez, a 31-year-old native of Nicaragua, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2007 and has faithfully served America in Afghanistan, Germany and Malaysia among other places.
“This nation has given me so much,” said Arroliga-Lopez, who was joined by his wife, mother and several of his fellow Marine recruiters. “It was the least could do.”
Cpl. Jose Arroyo, administrator, Weapons Training Battalion, echoed similar thoughts about his love for America and the debt he owes her after coming here from his native Costa Rica in 1997.
“This really means a lot to me,” he said. “It’s the next step in my career and it’s a way that I could give back to the United States for all it’s done for me.”
Where did you get that impression? I have no problem with legal immigrants entering the military and receiving expedited citizenship. This has been the case for many decades, certainly when I served in the USN in the 1960s. It is a long established program.
I do have a problem with illegal aliens being allowed to serve. We do not have a mercenary military. It is a privilege and honor to serve, which should be reserved for those who obey our laws. And I standby that with no apology.
I must have missed something very important. Where does it say this is for illegal aliens?
FYI: They did not have to join the military to gain citizenship. They had the process expedited because they joined the military rather than waiting 5 years before they could apply normally.
Obama's executive amnesty will include a provision allowing illegal aliens to join the military. Are you for or against it?
If I was right about them not being illegal aliens, then what’s the problem? They signed up and served in our military. They studied and passed the citizenship test. They went through the process, and took their oath of citizenship. They’re Americans. I don’t see the problem.
Two Marines became citizens at my sons graduation. We gave them a standing ovation.
I have no problem with legal immigrants. I married one.
Great. They deserved it.
I’m not creating a problem, nor trying to create a problem. This has nothing to do with illegal immigration. I’m not the one trying to make it about illegal immigration.
Obama will make it about illegal aliens. Dempsey has said he is open to having illegal aliens joining the military. Obama’s executive amnesty will include a provision to make it happen.
And I like cheese, but it has nothing to do with this.
May be a better idea might be to enlist them in an American form of the French Foreign Legion. No questions asked, no papers required, serve your term of service in some of the hell holes we now send American service personnel to and you become a citizen after 20 years.
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