Thread: 46 immigrants become citizens in ceremony Friday N.M.

46 immigrants become citizens in ceremony Friday

By Diana M. Alba / dalba@lcsun-news.com
Posted: 07/16/2010 10:46:44 PM MDT

LAS CRUCES - Silver City resident Paul Spencer, 47, was born in the United Kingdom but grew up in South Africa. His wife, Gisela Spencer, 50, was a South African native. The two said they loved the country, until the day-to-day strife caused by racial and class-related crime became too much to bear.

Their family members built ever-higher walls, encircled with barbed wire, around their houses. Homes included not only locks on the entrance doors, but locked partitions in the halls and heavily secured bedroom doors - measures that might provide a chance to escape in the case of a home invasion. Gisela recounted the days of lugging - not because she wanted to - a handgun around in her purse, to protect herself from the possibility of rape. She told about the time her brother was shot, after a hit - valued at $15 - was placed on his head. Carjackings were commonplace in their small city.

An out-of-country trip and the stark contrast of life elsewhere caused the couple to realize more clearly the burden of living in constant fear for their safety.

So they decided to leave South Africa.

They made their way to Canada, and, from there, moved to the United States around 1994. They worked for a small Texas business, traveling the country and buying used motorcycles to be resold. There, they were able to secure work visas, the groundwork for becoming U.S. citizens.
They relocated to Silver City in 2000. Paul was hired as a manager for a motorcycle business.

Friday, the 16-year journey culminated, as the couple was naturalized alongside 44 other immigrants in Las Cruces. The Spencers' faces were beaming.

"The ceremony made us feel so welcome," Gisela said. "All that hard work - it's really rewarding to be given such a nice welcome."

Said Paul: "It's finally over - it's a relief. That's how I feel."

U.S. Magistrate Carmen E. Garza presided over the ceremony, held at the Ramada Palms Hotel, 201 E. University Ave.

In all, 46 people - most were from Mexico - became citizens.

Brenda Santos, 34, of Deming took photos as her mom, Angelica Esperanza Torrez, 57, participated in the ceremony. Torrez has been in the United States about 40 years.

"I'm pretty proud because now she can vote and has more privileges now," Santos said.

Hervé Lescombes, owner of St. Clair Winery, who immigrated from Algeria, addressed the new citizens as the keynote speaker, telling them the challenges they've faced "are not easy, but they make you stronger." He officially became a citizen about a year ago, Garza said.

Following the ceremony, several of the new immigrants registered to vote at a sign-up table run by the Do-a Ana County Clerk's Office.

Haissam Hammoud, originally from Lebanon, immigrated because his wife, Sylvia Cabrera, is a New Mexican. An avid follower of politics, Hammoud said he was thrilled to gain his new citizenship.

"I'm glad to become a citizen so I can vote now," said Hammoud, a Las Crucen. "America is a great nation, with great people."

Countries of origin
Participants in Friday's ceremony were from:

• India

• Korea

• Lebanon

• Pakistan

• South Africa

• Taiwan

• United Kingdom

• U.S.S.R.

• Mexico

Source: U.S. Customs and Immigration Services


Diana M. Alba can be reached at (575) 541-5443

http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_15537054

Congratulations ...to all these wonderful new citizens. I wish them all the best.

I just hope these new Citizens understand if we keep allowing Illegal Immigration we will have the same problems the South Africans experienced in their home country.

My fear is these new citizens,in their desire to bring more family & friends to this country,will vote for open borders without realizing the consequences to themselves and other Americans. Their votes will produce the same conditions they fled.

Originally Posted by USPatriot

I just hope these new Citizens understand if we keep allowing Illegal Immigration we will have the same problems the South Africans experienced in their home country.

I know a South African now American who understands, he tried to tell Americans before the election Obama would be no different than Mugabe or Mandela, and he was right.

On the other hand I wonder how many of these immigrants got their green cards through amnesty or fraud?