On Wednesday afternoon Rep. Tony Cárdenas, D-Pacoima, said welcome and congratulations to the San Fernando Valley’s newest U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony hosted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Chatsworth.
Jade Viera, 2, held by her mother Tania Rodriguez, of Los Angeles waves the U.S. flag as her aunty is sworn in as a new citizen during a ceremony at the U.S. Citizens and Immigration offices in Chatsworth, CA on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. The event comes at a critical time, as the federal government processes citizenship applications at the fastest rate in years to address the backlog built up during the Trump Administration. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Congressman Tony Cardenas addresses new citizens during a ceremony at the U.S. Citizens and Immigration offices in Chatsworth, CA on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. The event comes at a critical time, as the federal government processes citizenship applications at the fastest rate in years to address the backlog built up during the Trump Administration. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
New citizens are sworn in during a ceremony at the U.S. Citizens and Immigration offices in Chatsworth, CA on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. The event comes at a critical time, as the federal government processes citizenship applications at the fastest rate in years to address the backlog built up during the Trump Administration. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Sara Carrillo poses for a photo with Congressman Tony Cardenas after being sworn in as a new US citizen at the U.S. Citizens and Immigration offices in Chatsworth, CA, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. The event comes at a critical time, as the federal government processes citizenship applications at the fastest rate in years to address the backlog built up during the Trump Administration. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
New citizen candidates prepare their paper work before being sworn in as new citizens during a ceremony at the U.S. Citizens and Immigration offices in Chatsworth, CA on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. The event comes at a critical time, as the federal government processes citizenship applications at the fastest rate in years to address the backlog built up during the Trump Administration. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Jade Viera, 2, held by her mother Tania Rodriguez, of Los Angeles waves the U.S. flag as her aunty is sworn in as a new citizen during a ceremony at the U.S. Citizens and Immigration offices in Chatsworth, CA on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. The event comes at a critical time, as the federal government processes citizenship applications at the fastest rate in years to address the backlog built up during the Trump Administration. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
“For immigrant families, becoming a U.S. citizen is an extraordinary milestone, built on dedication, sacrifice, and resilience. As a child of immigrants, I know firsthand the hard work and determination it takes to reach this point,” said Cárdenas. “Today, we celebrate not only your journey but also the rich contributions immigrants make to our nation.”
“I’m proud of the progress being made to address the backlog and process more citizenship applications. By supporting these efforts, we uplift not only immigrants but all of America.”
Cárdenas is second-generation immigrant himself and an advocate for immigrant rights. His parents, Andrés Cárdenas and María Quezada, came to the United States shortly after marrying in Jalisco, Mexico in 1946. They raised Tony Cárdenas and his 10 brothers and sisters in Pacoima.
