Sandra Vega, originally from Mexico, lived in the United States for decades before what she perceived as tighter immigration laws inspired her to pursue citizenship.
“The laws are getting stricter,” said Vega, one of more than 1,000 people from more than 120 countries to take the oath of citizenship during a Wednesday ceremony at Turner Field. “They should give the rights to people who are hardworking and have no criminal background. They should give easier steps (toward citizenship).”
The event, held under a brilliant blue sky and broiling sun, was hosted by the Atlanta Braves and meant to coincide with the week’s Independence Day festivities.
“Today is a beautiful day in Atlanta and in America,” Joseph Kernan, deputy director of the agency’s Atlanta district, told the crowd. “There’s nothing as American as mom, baseball and apple pie.”
Atlanta Braves president John Schuerholz gave a warm and personal greeting.
“Over 100 years ago my ancestors came to this country,” he said. “They were given opportunity and freedom. I want to encourage you to continue to make America a better place.”
Edward Jennings, Southeast regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, injected some politics into his keynote address, saying President Barack Obama plans to address Congressional “unwillingness” to enact immigration reform.
“He plans to take executive actions that are within the president’s authority,” Jennings said. “We must do whatever we can to make U.S. immigration smarter, more humane and do whatever we can to keep families together.”
Obama, who congratulated the new citizens in a taped message, lashed out at Republicans in Congress on Monday, vowing to use his executive powers to make unilateral changes to U.S. immigration policy. Congressional Republicans were not pleased to hear the president threatening another legislative end run.
“The president’s own executive orders have led directly to the humanitarian crisis along the Southern border, giving false hope to children and their families that if they enter the country illegally they will be allowed to stay,” U.S. House Speaker John Boehner said.
In a news release, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Acting Director Lori Scialabba said the nation would welcome approximately 9,000 new citizens during more than 100 naturalization ceremonies across the country from June 30 through Friday.
In a report issued in 2012, the agency stated more than 6.6 million people had become naturalized citizens over the past decade.
Brand-new citizens at Wednesday’s event were excited to add to those numbers.
Sara Szekely, originally from Romania, celebrated with her children Iza and Truman — “like the president,” she said. She said her path to citizenship took about nine months.
“It was my time,” she said.
Anu and Jayant Patil, from India, spent about eight years becoming citizens, but had no complaints about the process. “It was straightforward,” Jayant Patil said.
Yadira Pena, from Columbia, celebrated after the proceedings with Mexico-born sisters Deisy, Lorena and Ana Vega, whom she met in citizenship class.
“I think it’s great,” Pena said of U.S. immigration policy and citizenship process. “I don’t think they need to make any adjustments.”
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