On path to citizenship, first step can be hardest

A Foothills man who helps hundreds of people every year become U.S. citizens says the biggest roadblocks people face are becoming permanent residents in this country and finding the strength to continue through the process.

Marci Rios, a Yuma insurance agent and The Sun's 2005 Yuma County Citizen of the Year, became a U.S. citizen at age 18 and has donated his time and money to help others to do the same. The biggest roadblock is the fear, he said.

A lot of times people don't go to the interview.

In the past, Rios said it would take four to five years for him to help someone receive their citizenship, and, as a result, they would often lose the emotion they initially felt. Now, it may take only a year - sometimes even less.

For someone with a clean record who will be a benefit to the country, the obstacles are not in passing the citizenship, but in becoming a permanent resident in the first place. People have been waiting for the last 10 years to get a permanent resident card, Rios said. Not just from Mexico, but from all over the world. The government is processing the applications for permanent residency from back like in 1997.

Because of the backlog, Rios does not want to see a path to citizenship for illegal aliens in any comprehensive immigration reform bill passed by Congress. He said no matter what happens, illegal aliens should have to go to the back of the line behind those who are following the process.

I would like to see some type of guest worker program in place, he said. That's how I came here. My parents were part of the Bracero program.

For those who have established permanent residency in the U.S. for five years or more, Rios has the experience to guide them through the process to be naturalized.

First, they fill out a 10-page questionnaire about their background, pay a $400 fee and send in two photo identifications. Rios said the questions cover all kinds of topics: work history, family history and criminal record.

During the process, Rios said honesty is the best policy. I have seen applications denied by people lying about crossing a port of entry saying they are a citizen, Rios said. They say, I forgot my card, but I speak such good English that I was able to get through.' They deny (the application) because they are lying to the federal government.

Rios said the government does an extensive background check and will find any prior arrests or convictions. About four to five months later, the oral interview is held. It includes a character assessment and questions about U.S. history.

Candidates must be able to write, read and speak English. Rios said people should try to answer all questions in English as best they can, even if they are not fluent. Starting next year, it will probably be harder, he said. It will be more of a written test. Right now, it's verbal.

If a candidate passes everything, they will be scheduled for a naturalization ceremony, where they will take the oath and become an

American citizen.

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Jeffrey Gautreaux can be reached at

jgautreaux@yumasun.com or 539-6858.