That all changed in 1975, when the war abruptly ended.
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The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) harnesses the collective power and resources of the country’s 37 largest regional immigrant rights organizations in 30 states.
Republica, one of America’s leading independent cross-cultural advertising, communications and digital agencies, today unveiled “Stand Stronger”, Citizenship Awareness Campaign, a comprehensive campaign designed to encourage the 8.8 million eligible lawful permanent residents to apply for and obtain US citizenship.
Nearly overnight, America became our haven and new home.
Our celebration includes administering special naturalization ceremonies across the nation, highlighting the connection between the Constitution and the honor, privilege, and responsibility of becoming a USA citizen through naturalization.
Most in America say immigration is a problem. Although most Americans share an immigrant history, those who personally faced hardships like war, poverty, and persecution bring a fresh and powerful appreciation of America’s ideals of liberty and justice. Their optimism was not dampened by having to start a new life in 1975 from a refugee tent city at Camp Pendleton, San Diego. “Because now they will have so many opportunities”.
“It was months of heartache, and we just prayed that he would make it to us safe, ” said his mother, who attended the ceremony and who left the island in 1996.
Achour Cherrat, 32, said he looked forward to getting a US passport and not having to worry about asking for tourist visas from many countries. I tell them of my own feelings of hope and pride when I took the oath “to support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States”, the same oath they are about to take.
Susan Curda, Los Angeles District Director for USCIS, also spoke to the kids about the historical importance of the Constitution and of the sacrifices their parents made for them to be here, as legal citizens.
The 16 new citizens took the oath and pledged to a new flag.
Eleven participating cities have or are in the initial stages of developing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) “Citizenship Corners” in over 110 libraries to provide resources and assistance to LPRs interested in becoming US citizens.
Richland, WA- Each year on September 17th it is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. “Some of you have crossed many borders, rivers, and oceans to be here”, Garcetti said. Also this week, we will launch the next phase of our Citizenship Public Education and Awareness Campaign, with new online test preparation tools. But these materials mean little unless they’re studied and appreciated.
For Ruby Apolinario, whose 11-year-old daughter Darlene was among a number of Filipinos receiving their citizenship certificates that day, the event was “a blessing”.
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Perez is among more than 36,000 people from across the country expected to become new citizens during more than 200 naturalization ceremonies that will be held in the next few days to mark Citizenship Day, celebrated annually on September 17.
