Over 100 immigrants naturalized at Henderson council chambers

It wasn’t an easy task.

After years of filling out paperwork, paying thousands of dollars and learning about the United States, a new group of citizens made it through the naturalization process.

“I wish I had a mirror to hold up so you could see how big your smiles are,” said Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen.

The mixed group of immigrants-turned-citizens were all smiles at the latest naturalization ceremony July 6 inside the Henderson City Council chambers at City Hall, 240 S. Water St. Throughout the ceremony, the new citizens waved the American flag and listened to “America the Beautiful” or recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

“It is a pleasure to become an American citizen,” said Anna Mahran, who immigrated from Iraq six years ago. “I’m glad to be here.”

There were 125 people who went through the naturalization ceremony. They represented 31 countries including Armenia, Congo, Cuba, Iraq and South Sudan. Each of them had a different story.

Nancy Laza moved from Cuba to the U.S. eight years ago to be with her daughter, who lived in Las Vegas. It was never a question for her about becoming a citizen, she said, which has been a seven-year process for her.

“I wanted to become a U.S. citizen so I could vote,” Laza said. “In Cuba, I never had a choice who I could vote for. It was chosen for us.”

In America, she plans to find candidates who best represent her.

“I want my vote to help strengthen the Latino community,” she said.

For Wamuwi Malenga, this day was 16 years in the making. He and his brother moved from Zambia to Las Vegas on a student visa.

“I remember arriving in Las Vegas,” he said. “It was the middle of July, and I was wearing a track suit.”

His host family warned him about the heat and encouraged him to remove his jacket. Because he was traveling for two days and worried about the smell, he decided to keep it on.

“I’m from Africa and thought I could endure anything,” he said. “And then I stepped outside and felt the heat. Talk about a shock. I could barely breathe.”

He worked his way through college, always dreaming about being an American citizen.

“I would see the American people and the opportunity you had,” he said. “It made me envious, and I knew I wanted to become a citizen.”

It’s not a simple process to become naturalized. The application fee is $680, and there are limits to how many applications are accepted each year. According to the American Immigration Council, the U.S. accepts about 600,000 applicants each year from various countries. It receives millions of applications, resulting in a backlog.

While it received 1.3 million applicants from Mexico in 2012, only up to 47,000 were accepted. About 430,000 people from the Philippines applied that same year, with 47,000 accepted.

There are also limits to the type of visas issued, such as family-sponsored, which allows only about 480,000 per year. About 70,000 are given to the world’s refugees and asylum seekers.

All those attending the ceremony know how difficult it can be making it toward the finish line.

“It was a long process, but it feels great,” Laza said.

After the ceremony, the newly minted citizens also heard words of wisdom from U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey, who presided over the ceremony. She and other guest speakers encouraged the new citizens to volunteer and give back to the community.

They were also encouraged to learn more about America and carry the American flag with pride.

“It’s your flag now,” said Bill Wiseman from the Nevada State Elks Association, who spoke at the event.

The Nevada-Las Vegas Field Office of U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services is at 5650 W. Badura Ave., Suite 100. Visit uscis.gov.

To reach Henderson View reporter Michael Lyle, email mlyle@viewnews.com or call 702-387-5201. Find him on Twitter: @mjlyle.