New citizens get welcome from Obama

The 102 Las Vegas immigrants stood side by side to swear the Oath of Allegiance.

They waved tiny American flags, enjoyed the patriotic melodies of a string quartet and received glowing congratulations from various dignitaries, including Mayor Oscar Goodman, U.S. District Judge Lloyd George and, in a recorded statement, President Barack Obama, who told the freshly minted citizens that "in America, no dream is impossible."

But the best part of Thursday's naturalization ceremony at City Hall, they said, was the knowledge that at the end of it all they could finally call themselves American citizens.

"It's such a great nation, a country of immigrants," said Antonio Quintana, 63, who posed for photos before the ceremony accompanied by his wife, a permanent U.S. resident who is also pursuing citizenship.

Quintana, a banquet food runner, and his wife immigrated to the United States from Cuba seven years ago seeking more freedom and opportunity. He and the other new citizens represented 35 nations, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Nigeria, China, Ghana and Australia.

The morning ceremony, hosted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the city, was part of the city's annual Celebrate America initiative to showcase the diversity of the community.

"We have a fabric made up of many different threads ... that bind together to make us into something very, very special," Goodman told the new citizens.

Nileshni Lata Gopal, a 37-year-old Fiji native, said diversity was what "totally intrigued" her when she first visited the United States in 2001.

Gopal saw "all segments of people ... working together. I still get intrigued to see a Hispanic cook making me authentic Indian curry in a restaurant."

Like Quintana, Mary Ann Santo Hizon came to the United States seven years ago in pursuit of opportunity.

The 63-year-old from the Philippines is now a psychiatric nurse who works with emotionally disturbed children.

Santo Hizon had mixed feelings when she first decided to come to America, she said.

But, "I have not looked back. I have not regretted it since day one, because everything went so well," she said.

Santo Hizon and the other new Americans each got a "good luck mayor" chip, resembling a poker chip, from Goodman.

They also heard from new City Councilman Stavros Anthony, who reminded them they are now eligible to vote and that every vote counts.

Anthony in June defeated opponent Glenn Trowbridge for the Ward 4 seat by 10 votes. "You could be the one that pushes your candidate over to win an election," he said.

About a million people became naturalized U.S. citizens last year, about 12,000 of them in Las Vegas.

Those who want to become U.S. citizens must first be permanent residents.

After applying for citizenship, they must be interviewed, take a U.S. government and history test, and prove they can read and write English.

Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285.