Rep. Tony Cárdenas, D-Pacoima, welcomed and congratulated new U.S. citizens from the San Fernando Valley at a naturalization ceremony hosted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Chatsworth. The event, which took place on Wednesday, comes at a critical time as the federal government is processing citizenship applications at the fastest rate in years to address the backlog accumulated during the previous Trump Administration.
Cárdenas, a second-generation immigrant and advocate for immigrant rights, emphasized the importance of becoming a U.S. citizen, highlighting the dedication, sacrifice, and resilience required to achieve this milestone. As the child of immigrants himself, Cárdenas understands the hard work that goes into reaching this point and celebrates the contributions immigrants make to the country.
During the ceremony, new citizens were sworn in, including Sara Carrillo who posed for a photo with Congressman Cardenas after the ceremony. The event was a symbol of progress in addressing the backlog and processing citizenship applications at a faster rate, ultimately uplifting not only immigrants but the entire nation.
Cárdenas’ own parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico in 1946, raising him and his 10 siblings in Pacoima. His personal background, as well as his advocacy for immigrant rights, demonstrates his commitment to supporting immigrant communities and recognizing their value in the fabric of American society.
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