By María Ramos Pacheco
7:22 p. m. on September 28, 2022 CDT
Fort Worth resident Joel Vindel won two gifts Wednesday: He was sworn in as a U. S. citizen after 15 years of living in the country on other types of visas and, thanks to his new status, became eligible to vote in the November election.
He and the 29 immigrants who took the oath of citizenship Wednesday at Grapevine Botanical Gardens in Heritage Park naturalized with less than two weeks to register to vote in Texas.
“Now I feel empowered to communicate about politics,” said Vindel, 34, from Honduras. “I feel like my voice and my vote will count, that I can contribute to the network through voting. “
The day to register to vote in the November election is October 11.
At Wednesday’s ceremony, others from more than 20 countries, in addition to Mexico, Honduras, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sudan, Jordan, Cambodia, El Salvador and Uganda, were not only designated as new citizens, but were also invited to adopt one of the rights they have just been granted.
“As U. S. citizens, they will have to test and learn for themselves to exercise their right to vote and hold their representatives accountable,” said Barbara M. G. Lynn, U. S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas.
“I hope that once he comes out of this ceremony, he will go ahead and register to vote in this election and in all the long-term elections. “
Mia Le Train, 36, of Allen, planned to register to vote Thursday.
“I know this is our legal responsibility and also a right,” he said. “This is a very special and long-awaited day. I am satisfied to be a citizen and to know that now things will be easier,” Le Train said. , who was born in Vietnam.
For Haltom City resident Adiel Carrion, 31, adjusting to a U. S. citizen is just another step in his search for a better person.
“Now, with the strength of being citizens of this wonderful nation, we will have to do our best. . . As has been said here, keep us informed and exercise our right to vote, all that is ignored in our countries,” said Carrión, a native of Honduras.
The rite was organized through the Daughters of the American Revolution, a nonprofit organization committed to selling patriotism and American history, in partnership with U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
In March, the immigration firm unveiled the backlog of several immigration processes, adding the U. S. citizenship application. According to USCIS, about 80% of all naturalization programs are resolved in 20. 5 months at the Dallas office.
The next naturalization rite in North Texas is scheduled for Oct. 17.
María Ramos Pacheco, Reporter for Al Día / Reporter at the Dallas Morning News. She covers immigration and the Hispanic network in Dallas. Es originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, where her passion for journalism was born. / She covers immigration and the Spanish-speaking network of Dallas. Es originally from Chihuahua, Mx, where her love for journalism was formed.