Thunderbolts take path to citizenship

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tracie Forte
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE --  Eleven individuals with military ties, two from Luke Air Force Base, took the oath of citizenship in a ceremony Jan. 26 at the Arizona House of Representatives.

This was only the second citizenship ceremony held by Citizenship and Immigration Services, an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The candidates, ranging from ages 18 to 56 years old, are originally from Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, Peru and the Philippines.

"It opens a lot of doors for me," said Airman 1st Class Rodrigo Laguna, a citizenship candidate from the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron and originally from Lima, Peru. "I am planning to become an officer, and once they told me I needed to get my citizenship, I found all the information, filled out all the paperwork, and here I am."

The special ceremony honoring military service members and their families consisted of the Oath of Allegiance, delivered by John Kramar, U.S.C.I.S. district director, a message from the president of the United States and the presentation of citizenship certificates.

Family members and friends also joined the candidates at this life-changing ceremony.

"I'm glad U.S.C.I.S. had the ceremony in this magnificent place, the place of the legislature and law makers that understand what it means to be a citizen and the responsibilities that come with that, not only in civic engagement but also in defending the country," said Gladis Molina, friend of Laguna.

Speaker of the House Andy Tobin and Senate President Steve Pierce of the Arizona State Legislature were also present during the ceremony.

"I felt that completing the path to becoming a U.S. citizen and calling this country my home was the right thing to do," said Daniele Marton, wife of Maj. Charles Bassett, 21st Fighter Squadron, and originally from Venice, Italy. "Now I'm an American like my husband and my daughters, and it feels good to be able to vote and participate."

Members and certain veterans of the U.S. armed forces may be eligible for naturalization through their military service under Section 328 or 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

People do not join the military to become U.S. citizens, according to Marie Therese Sebrechts, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Southwest Regional media manager.

"For citizenship, you have to be a lawful, permanent resident and to join the military you have to be a lawful, permanent resident," she said. "There was a misconception that people would join the military to get citizenship, but all these people are eligible anyway. They would just have to wait longer and pay the naturalization application and biometric services fees."

Under each section of the INA, applicants must be able to, but are not limited to, read, write and speak basic English, have served honorably in the armed forces, have a knowledge of
U.S. history and government, and have been a person of good moral character.

"To me, they have already signed up for the responsibilities of being an American citizen by being a Soldier, fighting and putting themselves in harm's way before even being a citizen," Molina said. "We should make them Americans because they're already fighting for our freedom. I am glad that there is an expedited process for military members and their families under the law."