Central Valley’s newest U.S. citizens hear from civil rights icon Dolores Huerta
Civil rights and labor leader icon Dolores Huerta spoke inspirational words to the 22 young people who became the newest naturalized American citizens. Huerta encouraged them to do their civic duty once they reach voting age.
The 92-year-old was the special guest speaker of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Special Children’s Ceremony Thursday afternoon at the Delano Branch Library.
“Thank you for becoming citizens of the United States because we need you in our country. Your presence makes our country richer and a better place,” said Huerta, a multiple honoree for her work including the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award in 1998 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
“The United States of America not only is a nation of immigrants, but it is one of the countries in the world that set the example that the people can gather, that the people can choose who they want to represent them and make the laws for them and the policies for them,” Huerta said, adding that people come to the United States because they want a better life.
“They are many people who become U.S citizens and they don’t bother to vote,” Huerta said.
Huerta said that voting is important, because when people vote they elect people who will make the decisions on the money communities need to build libraries, schools, provide education and health care just to mention a few.
“Please remember this, that as a citizen you have to fulfill your responsibilities of citizens,” she said.
Special ceremonies are periodically held to recognize and celebrate the naturalization of young immigrants who have received citizenship through their naturalized parents U.S born parents or adoption.
Huerta also asked the “young people” to applaud their parents because thanks to their parents they are obtaining their citizenship.
“For them it wasn’t quite that easy,” Huerta said of those parents who are naturalized citizens.
At Delano’s special ceremony those taking oath range in age from 10 to 17 years. The citizenship candidates came from eight counties, including India (2), Kenya (2), México (7), Nigeria (1), Pakistan (1), Philippines (4), Vietnam (1) and Yemen (4).
Among the newest citizens are 17-year-olds Mauricio Gabriel Gómez Zabala, of Lamont and Diego Rivera Mendez of Bakersfield as well as the brothers Antonio José Álvarez Coss y León, 14 and Juan Pablo Álvarez Coss y León, 10, who live in Visalia.
“I’m so proud that he can have all his rights and do his best as an American,” said Diego’s mother Ana Méndez who was born in the U.S.
“I feel proud of my family and about myself and excited for a new future,” said Diego Rivera Méndez of getting his citizenship. “Very excited, it makes you feel powerful.”
For Mauricio Gabriel Gómez Zabala, who is a senior in high school, the ceremony was important.
“I feel very great becoming a U.S. citizen, something I always wanted. Knowing that I come from México, and it feels really great becoming the US citizens,” said Gómez Zabala who is from Zamora, Michoacán.
His father Jaime Gómez, who was born in the United State, was with him at the ceremony.
“He could pursue his dreams of going to college and a new beginning for his life becoming a US citizen,” said Gomez.
Antonio José Álvarez Coss y León, who is from Jalisco, México, said he was “very happy and excited for new beginnings and I have more opportunities.”
