Rio Grande Guardian

Newly naturalized U.S. citizens win praise at LUPE graduation ceremony
15 August 2006
Steve Taylor

SAN JUAN - Immigrants who recently became naturalized U.S. citizens were praised for their dedication to the country at a citizenship graduation ceremony organized by La Unión del Pueblo Entero.

Salomon Torres, the Rio Grande Valley district director for U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, said the immigrants likely knew more about their adopted country’s history and system of government than many who were born here.

“When Jay Leno goes out on the streets he often finds American citizens that do not know much about their country’s history or current affairs,” Torres said. “Like those that are asked where George W. Bush comes from and answer Ohio. You probably know more than those people. You should be very proud of your achievements.”

Torres, along with state Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez, D-Weslaco, gave federal and state certificates to around 45 newly naturalized U.S. citizens at the ceremony.

All of those receiving certificates had participated in a four-month educational course run by LUPE in preparation for their citizenship interview.

“Congratulations, you have made a great effort,” Martinez said. “By studying the basics of our government structure, you probably know more than many U.S. citizens.”

Cris Gonzalez, a working mother from Edinburg and one of the LUPE instructors, took the group’s training course herself when she became a U.S. citizen two years ago. She said the success of the course proved immigrants did not need the help of a lawyer to apply for and obtain U.S. citizenship.

Most of the new U.S. citizens at the LUPE event were either elderly or middle-aged. Gonzalez said many may have felt intimidated in the past.

“We explain to them that there is no need to be intimidated,” Gonzalez said. “If you are older than 50 and have lived here for 20 years you can become a U.S. citizen without having to learn English. That is important. And, once they have completed our course and become U.S. citizens, you can see how proud they are."

As well as the new U.S. citizens, LUPE also honored longtime farm workers activist Maria Gomez. Gomez became involved in the plight of Valley farm workers during an onion strike in Mission in 1978.

“It was only after I joined the UFW that I began to learn that we had certain rights. The union has given us self belief and education,” Gomez said.

Gomez also praised the new U.S. citizens. “We can learn from each other,” Gomez said, after receiving a framed picture from Torres for her 28 years of service to the UFW and LUPE.

© Copyright of Rio Grande Guardian, www.riograndeguardian.com; Melinda Barrera, 2006. All rights reserved.