Posted on 08/09/2003 3:59:47 AM PDT by kattracks
NORFOLK, Va. - More than 200 sailors, including many who served the Navy in the war in Iraq, were sworn in yesterday as U.S. citizens.The sailors applied for citizenship under an executive order President Bush issued last year. Under the order, immigrants serving in the military since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks are eligible for naturalization immediately.
"When I look at you, I see myself," said Eduardo Aguirre, director of the federal Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, who recalled that he came to America at age 15, a Cuban refugee in search of a better life.
Aguirre administered an oath of allegiance to 222 sailors in a ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, docked in Norfolk.The new citizens hail from 51 countries, Albania to Ukraine.
"I'm very happy to be an American," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Agbasi Ebuka, 29, from Nigeria.
"America is the most free country in the whole world. You have the freedom to live your life the way you want to," Ebuka said.
Normally during peacetime, noncitizens in the military can apply for naturalization after three years of service. Immigrants not in the military must have lived here legally for five years before they become eligible for naturalization.
Nearly 9,000 members of the military have applied for citizenship since Oct. 1.
Many of the newly minted Americans - such as 23-year-old Seaman John Lopez, who was born in Cali, Colombia - said they wanted to become citizens to advance in their military careers. Only citizens can become commissioned officers. But Lopez's desire was part of a deeper, personal choice.
The Associated Press
Originally published on August 9, 2003
They had men and women from all branches of the service, including a SEAL and a retired Medal of Honor winner from Albuquerque, telling their stories. There were many mentions of the pride and satisfaction they received from serving the nation, as well as the opportunities for education and leadership training given to immigrants and kids from poor families in this country. They also had taped family greetings from Hispanic members of the armed forces serving overseas.
My Spanish is not perfect, but I did not see one negative comment from any participant, nor did I see anything other than vigorous applause from the audience.
Seeing these decent, patriotic, hard-working individuals in the service of my country gives me little patience for some of the immigrant-bashing that goes on here on FR. Some of it veers close to outright anti-Mexican racism. I've got an acquaintance who is a native Mexican, now a citizen, who graduated from the Air Force Academy. People like him are worth far more to this country than native-born racist white trash who never did anything for this country but collect benefits and run down the government and other ethnic groups.
American hereoes come in all colors, and many of them speak Spanish at home. So what?
-ccm
"America is the most free country in the whole world. You have the freedom to live your life the way you want to," Ebuka said.
Yes, and congrats, Petty Officer 3rd Class Ebuka.
They will make better citizens than some who were born here.
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