30 new citizens sworn in on Patriot Day in Cashmere
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On the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, 30 people from eight countries took the Oath of Allegiance in Cashmere, Washington, completing their final step toward U.S. citizenship.
Many of these new citizens, now eligible to vote, said they are excited to vote in their first presidential election.
Patriot Day, observed annually on Sept. 11, honors the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the 2001 terrorist attacks. The naturalization ceremony was held before the 9/11 Spirit of America Memorial annual remembrance ceremony.
“We must never forget what happened on this day,” said Norma Gallegos, program director for Hand In Hand Immigration Services, a nonprofit based in Wenatchee. The organization helps people through the naturalization application process.
The nonprofit is about 10 years old. Hand In Hand has been part of 50 naturalization ceremonies and has over 80 volunteers helping people with education, such as English and naturalization classes.
Gallegos said she wanted the ceremony to coincide with Patriot Day to foster connection and solidarity with the community, as well as the new citizens. What happened on 9/11 is part of the 100 questions people may be asked during a citizenship test. Applicants are asked up to 10 of the 100 questions.
The naturalization ceremony included participants from Mexico, El Salvador, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Australia, Haiti, the Philippines and Germany. They now have new privileges, such as obtaining a U.S. passport, securing citizenship for children born abroad, qualifying for federal jobs, running for elected office and voting in federal elections.
Jose Rodriguez was born in Zacatecas, Mexico. He has been living in the United States for over 50 years. He said he is proud to call north central Washington his home. On Wednesday, he was one of the 30 people who became a citizen.
“I’m part of the community, and I am very happy to be on the other side, the side of citizens. Hand In Hand gave me the push I needed to become a citizen. I have more rights now. What matters most to me is to be active in the election, and I will vote for who I want to be president. I will not have someone to choose for me,” Rodriguez said in Spanish.
Alfonso Lopez, director of Hispanic Latino Relations for the Wenatchee School District, spoke at the ceremony. He immigrated to the United States when he was 24 years old. Now, he’s a leader in improving relations between schools and the Hispanic community. He said that it is beautiful that many people in the United States come from diverse places, and immigrants are the strength of the country.
“North central Washington is a great place to strive and succeed. The United States is a country of freedom and opportunity … but it is not easy to accomplish. We must work hard,” Lopez said.
It takes several months of study to become a U.S. citizen. One of the final steps requires applicants to study 100 questions, covering U.S. and Washington state history.
Applicants do not know what specific questions will be asked during their naturalization test. Before they take the exam, applicants must qualify for naturalization.
On Thursday, Hand In Hand hosted an open house for the community to hear testimonies from people who have successfully obtained U.S. citizenship through the help of their organization.
The event also included opportunities for people to learn more about the services the nonprofit offers to help applicants in the naturalization process.
Board members took time to recognize this history of Hand In Hand. In the early stages of the nonprofit, Hand In Hand worked in partnership with Gustavo Montoya, senior editor of El Mundo, and Rufus Woods, the previous owner of the Wenatchee World.
The nonprofit previously worked from the Wenatchee World office complex. Last year, they moved to a new location across from the First United Methodist Church of Wenatchee. The nonprofit partners with the church, and volunteers use the space to accommodate classes for naturalization.
“El Mundo Communications and Rufus Woods started us off from scratch, provided us with furniture and the space to start Hand In Hand. When we started, over 150,000 in Washington state were eligible to become citizens, and now 250,000 people are eligible. The need is there and thanks to our partnerships, we would not be where we are today,” Gallegos said.
At the open house, people had the opportunity to hear from those who have used Hand In Hand as a resource for citizenship. Manuel Barbosa completed his citizenship the week before the ceremony. However, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services only allowed 30 at the ceremony at Spirit of America. He was determined to be part of the celebration and was allowed to participate because he had already been granted citizenship.
“I waited 45, almost 50 years to become a citizen when I could have done it in three months,” said Barbosa. “I wanted to take advantage of the great opportunities this country has. I want to be a good citizen.
“Ponga ganas y lo haga,” said Barbosa, a phrase used in Spanish to motivate one to push forward.
Barbosa was among the 28 people who registered to vote from the cohort of people who became citizens on Wednesday. He said he is excited to use his new right to participate in this year’s presidential election.
According to the Pew Research Center, Latinos have grown at the second fastest rate of any major ethnic group. Every year, 1.4 million Hispanics in the United States become eligible to vote. In 2023, USCIS accepted 878,500 new citizens. Among the top five countries were Mexico, India, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic and Cuba.
Tuesday marks Constitution Day, also known as Citizenship Day. Volunteers will gather at the Wenatchee Valley College Maguire Conference Center to help people register to vote.
Our Shared Democracy will host a forum from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday. It will include a Q&A featuring Chelan County Auditor Skip Moore and Douglas County Auditor Thad Duvall. People may ask questions about the election process. A Spanish language translation will be available.
Reneé Diaz may be contacted at diaz@wenatcheeworld.com. Collaborative reporting by The Wenatchee World, NWPB and WSU’s Murrow College of Communication Newsroom Fellowship.
