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ENLARGE
Efrain Gallegos filled out a voter registration form Tuesday at the elections office, 544 Rood Ave., immediately after becoming a U.S. citizen in a naturalization ceremony two blocks away in the federal building.
GRAND JUNCTION — At least one new citizen said it was the upcoming presidential election that motivated her to obtain her citizenship Wednesday in Grand Junction.
Alma Meraz of Silt was one of 16 people from seven different countries who became a U.S. citizen in a naturalization ceremony Wednesday held in the Wayne N. Aspinall Federal building, 402 Rood Ave. Her husband, Uriel Meraz; daughter Susie Meraz; and grandson Uriel Corral attended the ceremony.
“We grew up and said, ‘Mom you need to be a U.S. citizen,’” said Susie Meraz of New Castle.
Alma Meraz had already lived in the United States for 35 years. She’s looking forward to voting for the first time, come November.
Tom Acker, a Spanish professor at Mesa State College, attended the naturalization ceremony in support of his friend Ignacio Alvarado of Fruita.
Alvarado left his native Chile 18 years ago to become a sheep herder in Craig. Now he works for Rippys Utility Locating Services in Fruita.
“I’m very, very happy today,” Alvarado said. After the ceremony Alvarado said he planned to celebrate with family, perhaps have breakfast, and “tomorrow, continue working.”
And now that he’s secure in his citizenship, “I will visit Chile as soon as I can,” he said.
Acker made plans to accompany Alvarado to the elections office at 544 Rood Ave. immediately following the ceremony so Alvarado could register to vote.
Before the ceremony commenced, Magistrate Gudrun Rice asked the audience if they had anything to say.
Acker stood and told the group, “The elections office is two blocks down. I’m going with Ignacio. You’re welcome to join us.”
Half of the group accompanied Acker and Alvarado to go register to vote for the first time.
“This just looked like an opportunity,” said Acker, who works on immigrants’ rights issues.
Efrain Gallegos emigrated to the U.S. from Chihuahua, Mexico, 38 years ago. He smiled as he led the procession of new citizens down the sidewalk to where they would all register to vote.
“I’m happy today because I got my citizenship,” Gallegos said. “I’m very, very happy.”
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
Alma Meraz of Silt was one of 16 people from seven different countries who became a U.S. citizen in a naturalization ceremony Wednesday held in the Wayne N. Aspinall Federal building, 402 Rood Ave. Her husband, Uriel Meraz; daughter Susie Meraz; and grandson Uriel Corral attended the ceremony.
“We grew up and said, ‘Mom you need to be a U.S. citizen,’” said Susie Meraz of New Castle.
Alma Meraz had already lived in the United States for 35 years. She’s looking forward to voting for the first time, come November.
Tom Acker, a Spanish professor at Mesa State College, attended the naturalization ceremony in support of his friend Ignacio Alvarado of Fruita.
Alvarado left his native Chile 18 years ago to become a sheep herder in Craig. Now he works for Rippys Utility Locating Services in Fruita.
“I’m very, very happy today,” Alvarado said. After the ceremony Alvarado said he planned to celebrate with family, perhaps have breakfast, and “tomorrow, continue working.”
And now that he’s secure in his citizenship, “I will visit Chile as soon as I can,” he said.
Acker made plans to accompany Alvarado to the elections office at 544 Rood Ave. immediately following the ceremony so Alvarado could register to vote.
Before the ceremony commenced, Magistrate Gudrun Rice asked the audience if they had anything to say.
Acker stood and told the group, “The elections office is two blocks down. I’m going with Ignacio. You’re welcome to join us.”
Half of the group accompanied Acker and Alvarado to go register to vote for the first time.
“This just looked like an opportunity,” said Acker, who works on immigrants’ rights issues.
Efrain Gallegos emigrated to the U.S. from Chihuahua, Mexico, 38 years ago. He smiled as he led the procession of new citizens down the sidewalk to where they would all register to vote.
“I’m happy today because I got my citizenship,” Gallegos said. “I’m very, very happy.”
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
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