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West Texans Become U.S. Citizens On The Year's First Naturalization Ceremony
West Texans Become U.S. Citizens At The Year's First Naturalization Ceremony 1/13/13
CBS 7 News
January 13, 2013
EL PASO – More than 400 West Texans were sworn in as U.S. citizens at the year's first naturalization ceremony.
The ceremony took place at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center in El Paso over the weekend. A total of 458 residents are now U.S. citizens and are now one step closer closer to living the American Dream.
Among them, were 18 military members who say they committed themselves to this country since day one.
Field Office Director of Citizenship, Raymond Adams, said, “Today we had 18 U.S. military members. What's important to know is that they were not yet citizens of the U.S. but they had demostrated their willingness to fight for the United States. It’s really something we take a tremendous pride in. Now they are ready to become citizens of the U.S. and you see the excitement. It is a big, big day for them to become citizens of this country.”
Some couldn’t stop smiling and some even shed tears of joy as they became a greater part of what they call the greatest country in the world.
Now U.S. citizen, Rodolfo Gamez of West Texas tells us how proud he is to be a citizen.
“It’s very important. I feel proud to be a U.S. citizen of the best country in the world. It’s an awesome feeling.”
Ceremony officials say that due to the Midland Court being so over crowded, they haven’t had the chance to conduct a naturalization ceremony, but will definitely have one this year.
“We work with the court in Midland to try to do the ceremonies when ever we can in the Midland area. We are goin to try to go out there this year and do a naturalization ceremony,” said Adams.
U.S. District Judge, David Guaderrama addressed the 458 people who became U.S. citizens. The special invited guest to the ceremony was the Director of the West Texas Community Supervision and Corrections, Magdalena Morales-Aina who shared her life story as a way to encourage those who are not yet citizens.
Following the event, the El Paso Passport Agency accepted passport applications for the newly naturalized citizens.