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032906 CIUDADANÍA
ARLINGTON - Yesterday at the precise moment that Rosa Egusquiza swore loyalty and
love for her new homeland, her heart beat steadily and her eyes closed as she recalled the
long journey that she took to become a citizen.
Nervous about the happiness that seized her during the moment, Egusquiza showed her
emotions despite her silence, with one hand wielding a miniature flag of her new
homeland and the other holding a certificate that proves she is a citizen of the country
that opened its door to her.
Along with more than 500 people Egusquiza, a native of Peru, swore loyalty and
obedience to the Constitution of the United States during a citizenship ceremony that was
held at the Convention Center of this city.
"It's a very important step for me because now I have access to many things, such as
college scholarships to continue my studies, more job opportunities, but mainly because
now I can assert my voice through the vote," said Egusquiza, aged 32.
Like her, the common denominator for the vast majority of newly naturalized Hispanics
is to be able to vote and decide major changes in the legislatures.
Herman Perez, of Mexico City, also had an expression of happiness on his face, but it
gave him more joy to know that from now on what is decided at the ballot box is also
directly up to him.
"To have achieved citizenship is more than just an end goal; it is the beginning of my
involvement in any political change. Now I am 'playing' and no longer a mere spectator
from the stands," said Perez.
Dolores Rivera, 53 years old, from Coahuila, Mexico, was also able to take a step in civic
life as a citizen of the country that hosted her 30 years ago.
"I feel happy because now I can vote and my opinion will not only have more weight, but
I will also be able to intervene socially in any issue that affects the lives of other
Hispanics without any kind of fear," said Rivera, a mother of five and grandmother of 11.
"But that does not mean that within my heart I have stopped loving my beloved Mexico,"
she says with a broad smile.
For Maria Isabel Spall, from Bolivia, citizenship has several purposes, such as speeding
up the immigration process that will allow her to bring her parents over. But for her to be
able to vote is as important as being closer to her loved ones.
"I think that all Hispanics should seek citizenship to be able to vote; that way we may do
away with the cliché that 'we are many but we can not do anything'. It would be easier if
we want political change," said Spall, an employee at a clothing store.
According to Adolfo Gonzalez, supervisor with the Immigration and Naturalization
Service in Dallas, the majority of Hispanics seek citizenship to bring their families over,
as well as seeking greater job stability and to be able to apply for jobs in the U.S., where
being a citizen is a prerequisite, such as the armed forces.
"But a large percentage desire to participate in elections and in political change, mainly
because in their countries of origin they failed to vote or lived under a dictatorial regime
and never had the opportunity to elect their presidents," observed Gonzalez.
At yesterday's ceremony, sponsored by Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, the vast
majority of residents who became citizens came from Vietnam (119), followed by
Mexico (106).
Salvador Espino, a Fort Worth councilman, was the keynote speaker for the evening. In
his speech he emphasized that with work, effort, and dedication the new citizens can
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Castillo, José L. Ciudadania, text, March 29, 2006; (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth91114/m1/1/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.