A few months ago I wrote about the intense pride I felt when I stumbled across my father's naturalization certificate. As we gear up for the current immigration battle, it's worth showing what people are fighting for.
Ninety-seven-year-old Mercedes Rosa Ruiz Mejia from Nicaragua joins over 5,000 other immigrants taking the oath of citizenship during a naturalization ceremony to become new citizens of the U.S. in Los Angeles April 16, 2013.
Rwandan genocide survivor Immaculee Ilibagiza (L) takes part in her naturalization ceremony to become a new citizen of the U.S. in New York, April 17, 2013.
More below the fold.
Ilibagiza waves a flag after taking the oath of citizenship during a naturalization ceremony.
Ilibagiza looks at her citizenship certificate following her naturalization ceremony.
Immigrants raise their hands as they take the Oath of Allegiance during a special naturalization ceremony at the Department of Justice in Washington May 28, 2013.
Eman Alwan from Iraq takes the Oath of Allegiance during a special naturalization ceremony at the Department of Justice in Washington May 28, 2013.
Veronica Sabater, 7 months pregnant, poses with her husband Manfred Fermin after becoming a U.S. citizen.
A program, a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and a U.S. flag sit on a chair during a naturalization ceremony for new citizens.
Over 5,000 immigrants take the oath of citizenship during a naturalization ceremony to become new citizens of the U.S. in Los Angeles April 16, 2013.
Asians, Africans, Latinos, Europeans ... the United States remains a beacon for the world. Republicans stand in the way of immigration reform, they stand in the way of every immigrant community. And guess which demographics are growing fastest?
Even Marines take their oath.