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32 become U.S. citizens Friday
Published June 4, 2007
Graciano Patiño says he has loved the United States since he was a child and has dreamed of becoming a U.S. citizen since he began working here in his late teens.
On Friday, Patiño, a native of Ciudad Acuña, Coah., Mexico, realized that dream when he and his wife Amanda Cantu Patiño became citizens in a naturalization ceremony at the federal courthouse.
Thirty-two Del Rio-area residents, representing Mexico, Costa Rica and the Ukraine, became citizens in a special session of U.S. District Court, with U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis Green presiding.
Green welcomed everyone, then introduced the guest speaker, Mario Ortiz, district director for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS) District 18.
“This is a very memorable day, a momentous day, as it gives us the opportunity to stop and realize the contributions of immigrants and the struggles and sacrifices of immigrants to be here today,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz said the Friday ceremony was especially poignant in light of the immigration debate currently raging in the U.S. Congress and the recent death of Del Rio’s U.S. Army Pvt. Oscar Sauceda Jr., in the Iraq war.
“It should make us mindful that people sacrifice every day for the principles on which this country is founded,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz said often when immigration is discussed in the United States, illegal immigration takes center stage and the thousands of legal immigrants are forgotten.
Ortiz on Friday called those legal immigrants “an infusion of new blood,” and repeatedly urged those receiving their citizenship “to tell this story of yours.”
Ortiz then recounted the story of his own immigrant grandfather, whose naturalization certificate was so important to him that he hung it in a place of honor in his living room and which Ortiz said he now keeps in his own office.
“Struggle and sacrifice and courage and hope; tremendous dedication and struggle. That’s what it means to be in this room today,” Ortiz said.
He said being a U.S. citizen conferred new privileges and new responsibilities and urged those present to use those privileges and to fulfill those responsibilities as often as possible.
Green then asked each candidate for citizenship to stand and to raise their right hands.
He administered the oath of renunciation and allegiance and when the group answered, “I do,” in unison afterward, Green announced, “Each of you is now a citizen of the United States.”
Everyone in the room then stood, faced the U.S. flag displayed behind Green and recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem. Several of the new citizens wept.
Green then welcomed all of the new citizens and urged them to “bring your customs and your heritage with you to share with everyone.”
“This is a good country, but it is not a perfect country, and it is only through citizens like you that it will improve,” Green said.
He noted that the strength of the United States lies in its diversity: “On Cinco de Mayo, we’re all Mexican; on St. Patrick’s Day, we all become Irish,” Green said.
Green also added, wryly, “We also hope you’ll bring your sense of humor, because you’re going to need it.”
The ceremony was especially meaningful for the Patiños.
One of their daughters, Amanda Patiño, has worked for the USCIS for about two years, currently serving as a district adjudicator in the USCIS’ Dallas field office.
“This is a very happy day for me and my family,” Amanda said after the ceremony, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m very proud of my parents. They’ve always wanted to become U.S. citizens, but for one reason or another, they just never did. I’m very proud of both of them. I am where I am because of my parents. They’ve been very supportive.”
“I’m very happy and proud,” Amanda Cantu Patiño said after the ceremony, also wiping tears from her eyes.
Graciano Patiño has worked in construction in the United States and says he has loved the country “ever since I was a child.”
He said he and his wife have been living in Del Rio about 15 years.
Patiño said he had a simple reason for finally seeking his citizenship. “I want to chose the people I like, to chose my representatives, here in Del Rio and in the United States, the right to vote. Before I didn’t have any vote,” he said.
“I love to be here in Texas,” Patiño added.
Also naturalized Friday were Naylia Maratovna Kunafina, Hector Raul Escamilla, Juana Calderon Salazar, Erika Stanley, Liliana Rubio, Jose Benjamin Estrada Sosa, Herminia Gonzalez, Hector Ramirez Magellanes, Norma Gonzalez, Alma Rosa Treviño, Salvador Anzua, Yuliana Lizeth Catache Ramirez, Rosa Muñoz, Julia Elisa Onate Dragoo, Leticia Losoya Gallegos, Jareny Melendez Flores, Rosa Linda Salas, Elio Martin Rivera, Erendira Ernestina Vivanco, Juan Rios, Leonardo Martinez Ledezma, Gerardo Mares, Jesus Guadalupe Rocha, Maria Elena Flores De Carrasco, Sandra Lozano Suarez, Andres Lora Rosales, Maria Isabel Lopez De Kilich, Jose Francisco Cardona, Aracely Martinez Rodriguez and Blanca Eugenia Figueroa.
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