Thread: LA Welcomes 18,000 New Citizens, A City Record

Originally Posted by Christina Hoag, The Associated Press (click masthead)

LA welcomes 18,000 new citizens, a city record
CHRISTINA HOAG, 38 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Record crowds of immigrants — more than 18,000 in all — took citizenship oaths here Thursday, a showing credited to rising fees, a heated debate over illegal immigration and one of the brand-new Americans raising their hands. In becoming a citizen, radio host Eduardo "Piolin" Sotelo was taking the advice he has frequently dispensed on the nation's most popular Spanish-language radio show. "This is a new page in my life," the native of Mexico said as he was swarmed by well wishers and fans clamoring for a photo. "We have to make a difference." Sotelo, who came to the country illegally 22 years ago in a car trunk, chronicled his own citizenship process as he urged fellow Hispanics to seek citizenship at a time when immigration is still a hot-button issue and a presidential election is underway.

The need for three separate ceremonies at the Los Angeles Convention Center — a local record for the number of people sworn in one day — reflected a 350 percent increase in citizenship applications last summer before immigration fees jumped from $400 to $675 on Aug. 1. On top of that, Spanish-language media, including Univision and Telemundo, launched massive campaigns to get more immigrants to become citizens and vote. Sotelo, the outspoken host of the Los Angeles-based morning show "Piolin por la manana," has used his syndicated soapbox to rally hundreds of thousands to march for immigration reform and encourage legal residents to become Americans. The show is aired in at least a dozen U.S. markets.

"Now we have one more vote to defend our rights," Sotelo said of his citizenship. Sotelo went from collecting cans to working in radio but got fired because he was an illegal immigrant. He later got a work permit in Sacramento, where his radio career began to take off. Maury Martinez, 32, who was born in El Salvador and emigrated 14 years ago, said the citizenship drives ultimately led him to the convention center where he was sworn in before a giant star spangled banner. "It was everywhere," Martinez said as he clutched a miniature flag in one hand and his citizenship certificate in the other. "I want to vote. It's time we take action to shape the way the country is being run." New citizens hailed from some 100 countries, with the largest number, 7,770, from Mexico, followed by 1,882 from El Salvador and 1,477 from the Philippines.

The government administered 468,878 oaths of citizenship in the U.S. from Oct. 1 through April 30, up 35 percent from 348,591 during the same period a year earlier, said Chris Rhatigan, a spokeswoman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Immigration officials could not immediately say if the number of new citizens set a record nationally. Los Angeles and Miami favor huge ceremonies while other cities administer oaths as soon as applications are approved. Miami has five ceremonies scheduled over two days next week to administer 15,000 oaths at the Miami Beach Convention Center. While the Orange Bowl in Miami hosted a citizenship ceremony for 14,200 people on July 4, 1986, the Miami office typically has held four ceremonies over two days every three months, administering 12,000 oaths each round at the convention center, said CIS spokeswoman Ana Santiago.

Los Angeles normally has two ceremonies with about 6,000 people each. To the east in Pomona, another regularly held citizenship ceremony produced 10,500 new citizens last month, three times more than usual according to local immigration officials. Rhatigan said congressional debate to overhaul immigration, which heated up in 2006, fueled an increase in citizenship applications. The plan that would have granted a path to citizenship for millions eventually failed, as did a proposal that would have made illegal immigration a felony. Voting is a key reason people of all nationalities choose to become citizens, said immigration officials, who had set up voter registration tables inside the ceremony hall as well as a passport application and photo area. "I want to be part of America," said Jay Kim, 27, of South Korea. "I feel it's my home and I want my voice heard." Source (click here)

As if they need any more. Good grief, they need to change their city's name to Los Aliens. Silly me, I thought they only came to work.
Red and blue emphasis added by me.

18,000 Whoa . Hard to believe . But i believe this is how the Mexicans and Bushco are going to do it . 18,000 No Way

How is an illegal alien rewarded with US citizenship? WHY? What a huge slap in the face to immigrants who came legally!

Came here 22 years ago illegally and now has his citizenship? just how did this happen? I will tell you how, these rats are legalizing illegals, how much would you like to bet...

and he told the truth they want to change America and they want to run it...pretty straight forward, the scariest part is these people have dual citizenship and more than likely their loyalty is not with this country!

Beam me up Scotty please .....

What can this government be thinking? oh I know NAU

Sounds like a load of BS .I t Sounds like
this guy probably lied about being here 22 years in 86 ,
and some how got tied into the grand amnesty of that year .

SOSADFORUS

Beam me up Scotty please .....

Beam me up too, SOSAD!!!

Originally Posted by AmericanMe

SOSADFORUS

Beam me up Scotty please .....

Beam me up too, SOSAD!!!

This does not bode well for the upcoming mayoral election next June...or the gubanatorial election in 2010! It's our last chance to oust the Mexican mafia in L.A. and throw Villaraigosa out on his keester; but they are staying true to their threat..."Today we march; tomorrow we VOTE!"

I heard that Nuzez might run for mayor of SanDiego, and other rumors that he might run for Governor. Villaraigosa will undoubtedly run for Governor against the sanctuary city king, Gavin Newsome, in San Francisco.

The Reconquistas are working fiendishly behind the scenes, under the radar, while we are sleeping...to turn every Mexican into a citizen. I wonder if that includes dual citizenship with Mexico!

Congratulation to everyone of the 18,000.

This is how it should be done. They came here legally and eventually became US citizens so they could be a part of the American dream, LEGALLY.

Too bad our open borders supporters don't share this same since of pride. Instead they support breaking the law.

"Now we have one more vote to defend our rights," Sotelo said of his citizenship. Sotelo went from collecting cans to working in radio but got fired because he was an illegal immigrant.He later got a work permit in Sacramento, where his radio career began to take off. Maury Martinez, 32, who was born in El Salvador and emigrated 14 years ago, said the citizenship drives ultimately led him to the convention center where he was sworn in before a giant star spangled banner.

The problem I have with this is the following questions on the USCIS form N-400 which have to be answered truthfully :

15. Have you ever committed a crime or offense for which you were not arrested?
22. Have you ever:
e. Helped anyone enter or try to enter the United States illegally?

The Reconquistas are working fiendishly behind the scenes, under the radar, while we are sleeping...to turn every Mexican into a citizen. I wonder if that includes dual citizenship with Mexico!

I couldn't find the link with the Alipac search . But i know i've read a few times , that is what the consulates want "Dual-Citizenship". No country can stand that divided with a seditious government .And they know this. The Greed of the Globalist is insane .these people have major issues and have been lefted unchecked