Garcetti joins in celebrating the US Constitution and young new citizens
SEPTEMBER 17 marks an important day in American history–the Constitution of the United States was officially signed by delegates of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, including Founding Fathers George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.
Constitution and Citizenship Day was established later by President Harry Truman to observe the landmark event and celebrate the achievements and naturalization of new Americans.
228 years later, on Thursday, Sept. 17, 79 young people were sworn in and given their official certificates of citizenship at the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles. The ceremony, presented by the library and by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), was held in recognition of children and youth who obtained citizenship through their parents.
“This nation is a proud nation of immigrants,” said keynote speaker LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, speaking directly to the dozens of immigrant families, leaders, and advocates at the event. “This is a chance for us to celebrate; for those of us who were born citizens, a chance for us to reflect on what that means; and for those of us who have earned citizenship, a chance to cherish how special that is.”
Immigrant families from the Philippines, Iran, Armenia, Egypt, El Salvador, Japan, Nepal, China, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and a multitude of nations were represented at the ceremony. The Consulate General of Mexico, Carlos M. Sada, also graciously attended.
Some of the children present were adopted by US citizen parents, while others derived citizenship when their immigrant parents became naturalized citizens.
“Sometimes, we come to the US in times of duress, times of tragedy; sometimes for opportunities, for studies, for many different reasons. Some of you have crossed many borders, rivers, and oceans to be here,” Garcetti said.
“I always say Los Angeles is a city that reflects the world as it is today, and what the United States will be like tomorrow.”
Susan Curda, Los Angeles District Director for USCIS, also spoke to the kids about the historical importance of the Constitution and of the sacrifices their parents made for them to be here, as legal citizens. She also led the crowd in the official swearing-in Oath of Allegiance
“Your parents signed many papers and took a big naturalization test for YOU,” she exclaimed. “This morning, when you came into this room, you were citizens of China, Mexico, Iraq, and Ethiopia…but now you are all citizens of a new country, the USA. Welcome to our family.”
The USCIS and Garcetti also thanked the Los Angeles Library, one of over 70 branch libraries across the county that offer free ‘Path to Citizenship’ programs, which assist eligible immigrants with their applications, and help new citizens assimilate into American life.
Over 2,000 participants and dozens of trained librarians have taken part of this free public resource.
“The library has become a valuable center of citizenship,” Garcetti said.
“America offers you and your family many opportunities to succeed. So give something back to your fellow Americans–vote, stay engaged with the community, volunteer, make our streets safer. These things can strengthen the fabric of a city, and of your lives as well.”
He encouraged the roughly 800,000 Angelenos who qualify for citizenship to take advantage of these free opportunities, highlighting his Step Forward LA initiative, which will assist immigrants in applying for beneficial programs like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and possibly DAPA (Deferred Action for Parent Arrivals). The initiative–as well as a map of citywide “citizenship corners” hosting free workshops and events–can be found online at www.stepforward.lacity.org.
To conclude, Garcetti spoke about his hopes for America to be a more inclusive nation, with the people holding the power to govern, defining freedom and the American dream.
“I will never stand by and let anti-immigrant sentiment speak for the people of America, who understand that in a city like this, it is immigrants who work the hardest and who have made this country the greatest,” he said, before taking a large group photo with the newest young citizens.
“We are a place that has always been stronger when our arms are open, not when our borders are closed.”
Young, newly naturalized Filipinos express hopes and excitement
For Ruby Apolinario, whose 11-year-old daughter Darlene was among a number of Filipinos receiving their citizenship certificates that day, the event was “a blessing.”
“We’re very happy and feel very lucky,” Apolinario, from Carson, California, told the Asian Journal. “Because our children are now full-fledged citizens with benefits and a naturalization certificate, not just a passport. Because now they will have so many opportunities.”
The parents of 13-year-old Julia Aguirre also expressed joy and excitement for their daughter. The Aguirres had emigrated from the Philippines to Long Beach, California in 2012, in search of “doing what’s best for our children.”
“I’m so happy and relieved that everything, all of the paperwork we did, came out right,” said Mary, Julia’s mom. “[Julia] has a passion to travel, and she wants to go around the world. Being a citizen, she can do all of that with a visa. She can work towards her priorities, like graduating from high school and college. I hope to see her pursue her goals in life.”
Julia, an 8th grader at John Muir Academy, talked about her interest in the health sciences. She aspires to be a doctor and is interested in politics, particularly related to immigration.
“I am proud of being an American citizen,” Julia said. “I also want to thank my parents for sacrificing many things–money, time, and effort–in order for me to have certain abilities and to be here.”
