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MIAMI, Fla. -- Jose "El Nino" Temprana, a 105-year-old former Cuban political prisoner, became a U.S. citizen Friday. Temprana took the oath of citizenship in Miami early Friday. -snip- During the Cuban Revolution, he and three of his sons opposed Fidel Castro and were imprisoned in 1964 for 30 years. Following his sentence, he moved to Miami and has been free for the past 12 years. In the same ceremony Friday, Edgar Renteria of the 1997 World Series champions Florida Marlins also became a U.S. citizen. Renteria is now a shortstop for the Atlanta Braves.

. . . Part of the problem with amendments has been that any change -- no matter how mild -- threatened to disrupt and possibly destroy the fragile coalition of senators that has come together behind the bill. The most critical amendment was that of Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), to restrict legalization of violent felons and gang members. That amendment failed 51 to 46, but a weaker version by Sen. Kennedy passed. With the sudden, unexpected death of Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.), opponents of the immigration reform compromise bill on the Senate floor this week lose a vote they already...

Police: Woman dragged to death under minivan FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (AP) -- A woman trying to stop a motorist from fleeing after a collision was dragged for several miles to her death under the man's minivan, officials said Monday. Authorities said they were still searching for the minivan's driver. Sandra Hall was in a Cadillac that was struck by the minivan Sunday night, Broward County sheriff's officials said. The minivan was driven away with the Cadillac in pursuit, and when both vehicles were stopped in traffic Hall got out and stood in front of the minivan, authorities said. The minivan...

SAN DIEGO, April 5, 2007 – The United States gained 59 new citizens here yesterday, as 59 servicemembers took the oath of citizenship aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Cleveland. Army Sgt. First Class Jose Vargas, center, joins 58 sailors and Marines in taking the oath of citizenship aboard USS Cleveland in San Diego, April 4. U.S. Navy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. With retention and recruitment at the highest levels in recent history, officials said the Navy can now afford to focus on shaping the force to ensure the best-qualified, most diverse candidates are challenged to...

Time for a pop quiz, and no, it's not multiple choice. 1. Why do we have three branches of government? 2. What does it mean that the U.S. Constitution is a constitution of limited powers? 3. What alliance of North American and European countries was created during the Cold War? Whether you passed with flying colors or flopped (see answers at end of story) could indicate your fitness for citizenship. The questions are just a few from a new sample of more than 100 that immigration officials will begin trying out on naturalization candidates in Yakima late next month or...

I am taking applying for documents for my wife, from the country she (a naturalized US citizen) was born in. One of the requested items is her green card. However, shouldn't she have turned it in when she was naturalized, or does one keep the green card even after naturalization? Thanks.

A top immigration official accused of misleading Congress on whether a Clinton administration program was used to allow thousands of foreign nationals with criminal records to become U.S. citizens now heads a fraud and national security program at the Department of Homeland Security. Louis D. "Don" Crocetti, whose credibility before a House subcommittee was challenged by the Justice Department's Office of Inspector General, now heads the Office of Fraud Detection and National Security, which, among other things, is responsible for criminal background checks on foreign nationals seeking naturalization. The appointment was quietly announced in May by Eduardo Aguirre, director of...

Serving in the military has been the fast track for U.S. citizenship for many immigrants since the 2001 terrorist attacks. But not for Mustafa Aziz, an Afghan and Irvine resident who served a four-year hitch in the Air Force. Aziz is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit the American Civil Liberties Union and a Muslim civil rights group plan to file today on behalf of 10 Southern California immigrants who have been waiting two years or more for their citizenship. The lawsuit, to be filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, accuses government officials of illegally delaying their background...

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2006 – President Bush participated in the naturalization ceremony for three soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here today. The three men are recovering from wounds suffered in combat in Iraq. "Through the generations, our nation has remained strong and free because men and women put on our uniform and defend this country, and defend our beliefs," Bush said before the swearing-in. "The three men we honor today have brought honor to America. Like those who have come before, each of these men chose to protect our country because they love what America stands for." Army...

Bush presides over soldiers' citizenshipBy NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON - President Bush presided over a citizenship ceremony on Monday for three soldiers injured in Iraq, calling them "men who knew the cost of freedom and were willing to pay that cost so others could live free." Bush also used his visit to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center to promote his stalled proposal for overhauling the nation's immigration laws. He urged Congress to break the current stalemate and pass legislation that "must be comprehensive." The three injured soldiers who took the oath and became citizens were Spc. Noe Santos-Dilone...

Sparta pastor becomes U.S. citizen; to sing National Anthem at ballgameA special Fourth of July SPARTA - As fireworks explode and backyard barbeques are celebrated marking the 230th anniversary of the birth of our nation this July 4, the day will have special meaning for Father Albert Nix, pastor of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Parish here who became a U.S. citizen last month in Newark. "I am very proud to have become an American citizen and I look forward to being able to vote on the issues that affect this nation and local politics," said Father Nix, who will celebrate his...

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, July 5, 2006 – Twenty-seven U.S. soldiers serving on the front lines of the war on terror in Afghanistan became the newest American citizens here yesterday during a special Independence Day overseas military naturalization ceremony here. Army Pvt. 1st Class Joyce Nanquil (front row, second from right), recites the oath of allegiance during a special July 4 naturalization ceremony at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Nanquil, assigned to Company E, 310th Aviation Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, and a native of the Philippines, was one of 27 U.S. soldiers serving on the front lines of the war...

SPARTA, N.J. (CNS) -- As fireworks exploded and backyard barbeques marked the 230th anniversary of the birth of our nation on Independence Day, Father Albert Nix had special reason to celebrate. The pastor of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Sparta, in the Paterson Diocese, became a U.S. citizen at a recent ceremony in Newark. "I am very proud to have become an American and I look forward to being able to vote on the issues that affect this nation and local politics," said Father Nix, whose Fourth of July celebration included watching fireworks July 3 from the boardwalk of Sparta's...

Everyone born in the United States is an American citizen from the moment of his or her first breath. But once a year, in a courtroom at the federal courthouse in Macon, new Americans are born in a different way. Hailing from countries that include Vietnam, Pakistan and Russia, ranging in age from teen to elderly, they become Americans through a tedious process that sometimes takes years. It ends with raising their right hand and taking an oath that includes a vow to defend their new country in arms if required. Until six years ago, citizenship ceremonies for this area...

Today, on our nation's 230th birthday, I've got a little fun for you. Something to make you think, but also to test yourself (in a fun and friendly way, of course) in how much you know about our government.

WASHINGTON, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of remarks by President Bush on comprehensive immigration reform: Metropolitan Community College - South Omaha Campus Omaha, Nebraska 8:32 A.M. CDT THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for the warm welcome. It's great to be back in Omaha. I'm a little -- I just wish the timing were a little better -- (laughter) -- Senator. If I'd only delayed my trip, we'd have been able to watch the College World Series again. (Laughter and applause.) But I couldn't delay it, for this reason: This country is debating an important issue. It's an issue...

Cambodian Immigrant Becomes Citizen, American Combat Hero By Rudi Williams American Forces Press Service HONOLULU, May 30, 2006 – Sarun Sar first experienced combat at age 11 in the jungles of Southeast Asia. He fought in several combat actions before being wounded and sent to a refugee camp near the Thai-Cambodian border. Today, Sar is a decorated U.S. Army master sergeant who has been awarded the Silver Star Medal among other recognitions. He was lauded earlier this month at an Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month commemoration in Honolulu. Sar was born in a southwestern Cambodia village. His long trek to becoming...

HONOLULU, May 30, 2006 – Sarun Sar first experienced combat at age 11 in the jungles of Southeast Asia. He fought in several combat actions before being wounded and sent to a refugee camp near the Thai-Cambodian border. David S. C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, greets Army Special Forces Master Sgt. Sarun Sar and his wife, Dobromila, after introducing the Silver Star recipient to the audience during DoD's observance of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month in Honolulu on May 10. Photo by Rudi Williams  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Today, Sar is a decorated U.S....

1,000 Serbs Serving With U.S. Forces in IraqAbout a thousand people from Serbia are on active duty in Iraq, wearing US uniform and fighting alongside the Americans, writes Belgrade daily "Blitz." Jacqueline (Zhaklina) Chetich's dream came true last Tuesday when, along with 83 other foreigners, she became a U.S. citizen at a ceremony held at a military base near Baghdad. Like Jacqueline, many other Serbs currently serving in Iraq hope to one day become U.S. citizens and earn what they could only dream about in Serbia. Jacqueline joined the U.S. Forces in Germany three years ago. She took part in...

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (May 26, 2006) -- Mexican newspapers inadvertently planted a seed in a small boy, born in 1960 in the town of Cananea, Mexico, not far from the Arizona border. “In the newspapers in Mexico, they are more graphic than they are here,” said Guadalupe Denogean, a retired master gunnery sergeant. “I couldn’t read, but I could see the pictures.” So he would ask his brother to read the stories to him, and they were always about the Marines, he said. As that seed sprouted, Denogean, who moved to the U.S. but...