Salvador Huerta could only describe himself as happy as he stood in the auditorium at the Twin Peaks Classical Academy, holding an American flag in one hand and a very important piece of paper in the other.
From Mexico, Huerta was one of 21 people from 16 different countries to become U.S. citizens on Tuesday in Longmont. They join the roughly 10,000 immigrants in Colorado that will become citizens this year.
“I feel good. Happy — right now I am happy I am a citizen, an American citizen,” Huerta said. “This is a good country, good people, good work. Everything is good. I like it very much, the United States.”
Huerta, who lives in Longmont, said becoming a citizen was a hard process that took a lot of work and a lot of money. He’s still learning English, so answering immigration questions and completing the civics exam to become a citizen was especially challenging.
“The process is difficult, but right now I’m happy to be in this country and this city with these people,” Huerta said.
About five of the citizens sworn in Tuesday were from Mexico, and others were from France, Iraq, Russia, South Korea, Tajikistan, Vietnam, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Netherlands and more.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Denver Field Office Director Andy Lambrecht administered the Oath of Allegiance as the final step to citizenship for those 21 people. The oath promises allegiance to the government of the United States.
Lambrecht said during his remarks that he knows the oath is not taken lightly and pointed out that the people choosing to become American citizens did not have to do so. As a permanent resident, they could enjoy much of what the country has to offer without full citizenship.
“In taking this oath today and going through this process, you have gone so much further beyond that because now you have said you are willing to be a full part of what is happening in this country,” Lambrecht said. “You own this country just like any other American citizen.”
Twin Peak students helped to put on the ceremony and led the new citizens in the Pledge of Allegiance following their oaths, providing a learning experience for the academy’s students.
“You’ve earned your citizenship in this great country, not through your birth or through luck, but through hard work and perseverance,” principal Alycia Burns said in her speech during the ceremony.
The new citizens live across the Front Range and get the unique opportunity to almost immediately vote in a U.S. election, with many registering to vote right after their ceremony.
Along with the safety and benefits that citizenship offers him, Huerta said family and community are also a big part of why he wanted to become a citizen.
“It’s because my family is here — my wife, my son, my daughter, my granddaughters, everybody is here,” Huerta said. “And I like it. I like the United States, all the people.”
