Thread: Hospitalized man able to attend citizenship ceremony

Hospitalized man able to attend citizenship ceremony

07:18 AM CDT on Thursday, June 26, 2008
By THALIA LONGORIA Al DÃ*a

For more than a month, Pablo Lopez has been in and out of the hospital.

But his struggle with kidney failure and diabetes did not keep the 63-year-old and his family from attending his citizenship ceremony Wednesday morning.

ROBERTO M. SANCHEZ/AL DIA
Pablo Lopez, from Guatemala, got an affectionate hug from his wife, Miriam, after a citizenship ceremony Wednesday at the Dallas Convention Center
View larger More photos Photo store Mr. Lopez was among more than 700 area residents from 76 countries to take the oath of allegiance to the United States at the Dallas Convention Center.

Mr. Lopez's son helped him stand during the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance.

He and his wife applied for citizenship a year ago.

"We were lucky that they gave him his test date quickly," said Miriam Lopez, Pablo's wife. "He was in the hospital, but we didn't want him to miss his ceremony.

"This is something very special. We want the right to live freely in the United States. We want the right to vote."

Originally from Guatemala, Mr. Lopez said he has been in the United States since 1984. His family members are hoping to become citizens, too.


24 years an illegal , now a proud American ?

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 70e5b.html

He and his wife applied for citizenship a year ago.

That was a quick process from what I've heard others say. No back to end of the line for being here illegally all that time.

what a government we have indeed . What They want to do gets done , what they don't want to do recieve's ly's and promise's .

I would have to presume he had a green card if they allowed him his citizenship so quickly.

It is a shame that he waited for 24 years before becoming an American.