Posted on 05/23/2008 6:58:10 AM PDT by Tennessee Nana
LOS ANGELES — Record crowds of immigrants — more than 18,000 in all — took citizenship oaths here Thursday, a showing credited to rising fees, a heated debate over illegal immigration and one of the brand-new Americans raising their hands.
In becoming a citizen, radio host Eduardo "Piolin" Sotelo was taking the advice he has frequently dispensed on the nation's most popular Spanish-language radio show.
"This is a new page in my life," the native of Mexico said as he was swarmed by well wishers and fans clamoring for a photo. "We have to make a difference."
Sotelo, who came to the country illegally 22 years ago in a car trunk, chronicled his own citizenship process as he urged fellow Hispanics to seek citizenship at a time when immigration is still a hot-button issue and a presidential election is underway.
-Snip-
Sotelo, the outspoken host of the Los Angeles-based morning show "Piolin por la manana," has used his syndicated soapbox to rally hundreds of thousands to march for immigration reform and encourage legal residents to become Americans. The show is aired in at least a dozen U.S. markets.
"Now we have one more vote to defend our rights," Sotelo said of his citizenship.
Sotelo went from collecting cans to working in radio but got fired because he was an illegal immigrant. He later got a work permit in Sacramento, where his radio career began to take off.
-Snip-
....Martinez said as he clutched a miniature flag in one hand and his citizenship certificate in the other. "I want to vote. It's time we take action to shape the way the country is being run."
New citizens hailed from some 100 countries, with the largest number, 7,770, from Mexico, followed by 1,882 from El Salvador and 1,477 from the Philippines
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
He must have lied on his application and now that he is a citizen is telling the truth and has no reason to lie.
My guess is 10% will vote Republican or conservative. Not an asset to The Republic. Lots of laborers and lots of welfare bums. But not too many lovers of freedom unless you mean economic freedom. The right to make bigger buck than in the 3rd world holes most hail from
Sorry for the pessimism but our Veterans didn’t fight and die for a US citizenship to be diluted & rendered more worthless each year
When I became a naturalized American citizen in January, 1975, I was required to renounce my allegiance to my former country...
One month before the ceremony..
I dont know what “dual citizenship” is suppose to be..
Why would any American who has sworn allegiance to America want to have allegiance to another country at the same time ???
What is the Pledge of Allegiance if it does not affirm loyalty to one country only, the United States of America ???
Duel Citizenship has been brought into law by marginal increments over the last thirty years by the master of that tactic, Theodore K., and his allies who made a genetically-diverse ethnicity into an “oppressed race”.
The rabidly-liberal Democrats like him have been actively dismantling pro-enforcement measures in a piecemeal manner for several decades now. This includes Ronald Reagan’s 1986 amnesty’s requirements that it be limited in number, employers would be ridden hard and A FENCE WOULD BE BUILT! WHERE’S THAT BARRIER? Aaaarg!!! @&*+in traitors, the whole bunch.
30 years ago!
It's different now. We don't even demand that new citizens speak English.
Plus the rate of dual citizenship is much much higher. I'll bet it's 90%. Few of these "new Americans" renounce their former citizenship and the USA could care less about enforcing against dual citizenship.
Was the test listed on AOL accurate? If so...it is much too easy to become a citizen.
And you only have to get 6/10 right AND the questions are fed to you in advance.
Yeah, thats the ticket.
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