• Radar
  • 7 Day Forecast
  • Live Weather Video

WEEK Weather

Radar
72 °F
CLEAR
WIND : SSE
6 mph
HUMIDITY : 63 %
October 12, 2008
More Weather
  • News
  • Weather
  • Sports
  • Features
  • YouNewsTV
  • Programming
  • Community
  • Inside WEEK
  • Contact Us
  • YouNewsTV Prep Sports
  • Local & Regional
  • US & World
  • Business
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Technology
  • Political
  • Closings
  • News Links
  • Traffic

New Citizens' View Of Country

Tools

  • Save
  • E-mail
  • Print
  • YouNewsTV™
  • Most Popular
  • RSS Feed
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
New Citizens' View Of Country

By Jeff Muniz

Story Published: Jul 2, 2008 at 4:56 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 2, 2008 at 8:12 PM CDT

From a stumbling stock market to sky-high gas prices, there are a growing number of things Americans are grumbling about these days. After two naturalization ceremonies today, there are ninety-nine people who are just happy to be here calling themselves Americans.

Multimedia

  • Watch The Video

Related Content

  • Civics Test
  • Citizenship Information
  • Declaration of Independence

This Peoria Courtroom is a melting pot of people pledging their allegiance to the United States.

"I'm very happy and very excited. I'm just very happy as I've reached my dream," Maria Flores, a native of Mexico, says.

From more than two dozen countries, these immigrants are now US Citizens.

"The schools are very different. The education, you have a lot more freedom to choose what you want to do in the future. It's a great opportunity for education. Great schools here," Ramtin Hosseini, a native of Iran, says.

The path to citizenship is lengthy. Typically, it takes three to five years after applying. There's a civics test, background check and an interview where they'll gauge your grasp of the English language.

That's why for many their first stop after being sworn-in is the voter registration table.

"I have more political rights. Particularly, we can vote," Zhengchun Zhang from China says.

"It will be the first time in my life I get to vote. I never voted in my own country," Elizabeth Schell, a native of South Africa, says.

For today, there were smiles replacing any concerns of gas prices, the economy or war.

"People can just live here and have a good life here. Things are easy here. Life is good here," Schell says.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness all put to paper 232 years ago and being carried out today through Americas newest citizens.

View Oldest Comments First

Monday, Jul 7 at 11:08 AM jturner wrote ...

My, my, my, how angry you are. Were your ancestors born in the United States? If not, why did they come here? Maybe for the same reason these people came - to have a better life. And as far as taking our jobs, the only reason that happens is because they might be better educated and they are willing to work harder. I say, welcome to our newest citizens!

Sunday, Jul 6 at 2:06 AM BK wrote ...

SURE COME OVER TO OUR COUNTRY AND TAKE JOBS AWAY FROM US. YOU WERE BORN IN ANOTHER COUNTRY YOU SHOULD HAVE TO LIVE THERE ALSO..THERE ARE OTHER THINGS GOING ON IN OUR STATE AND THE COUNTRY TO HAVE TO HAVE THIS MAKE NEWS. WHO CARES??????

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

Comments are moderated and will not appear on this story until after they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting.

WEEK News 25 and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Most Popular

  • Flying Boat Kills Motorcyclist
    Watch Video
  • Soldier Fighting Two Battles
    Watch Video
  • Crash Kills Father & Injures Children
    Watch Video
  • Rezko on Illinois Corruption
    Watch Video
  • Two Fires One Lesson
    Watch Video
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Alexander Travel

When your journey from a dream to a great story includes us, you travel better.

On Demand

  • All Video All Video
  • News 25 @ Your Desk News 25 @ Your Desk
    Watch Video
  • RSS Feeds RSS Feeds
  • News 25 Notifier News 25 Notifier
  • Mobile Edition Mobile Edition

Stock Quotes

What's On TonightFull Schedule

6:00
Football Night in America
7:15
Sunday Night Football-New
Local Business Dir

Most Popular

  • Flying Boat Kills Motorcyclist
    Watch Video
  • Soldier Fighting Two Battles
    Watch Video
  • Crash Kills Father & Injures Children
    Watch Video
  • Rezko on Illinois Corruption
    Watch Video
  • Friday Night Football
    Watch Video
  • Two Fires One Lesson
    Watch Video
  • Chris Spahn Benefit
    Watch Video
  • Local Businesses Thrive in Slumping Economy
    Watch Video
  • YouNewsTV: Football
  • Cheap Gas Phase
    Watch Video

Poll

Do Political Debates Help You Decide Who to Vote For?

  • Yes, I wait until I see and hear the candidates before I make a choice
  • No, I know whom I’m voting for
  • I watch to see if someone messes up
Copyright © 2008
WEEK, a Granite Broadcasting Station
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
NBC
Powered by Broadcast Interactive Media.