Santa Cruz County salary database for 2008

People from 31 countries gathered to swear an oath Tuesday that will make this Independence Day their first as citizens of the United States.

[Lars]

Beautiful. Legal citizenship.

[Santa Cruzan]

Congrats to all.

[Right on Time]

I love this story! This is the greatest country on earth. We WELCOME immigrants. We invite their full participation and inclusion in all things we hold dear, assimilating into our wonderful culture and the freedoms we hold so dear. THIS is the picture of America that liberals try so hard to quash. Thank you, Sentinel, for running this important story and for providing it the prominence it deserves. Welcome, and congratulations to these new US citizens!

[Xanthippe]

Cool story. Congrats, new citizens!

[Didi]

Thank you all for taking the time to learn about America and become citizens.

[disabuser]

I observed one of these ceremonies in downtown Santa Cruz a couple of years back and was struck by what a representative of the immigration office in San Jose said. His only comment to the new citizens was that now they could apply for their relatives to immigrate.

U.S. citizens can petition for their parents, spouses, minor children (unmarried and under 21), unmarried/married sons and daughters and siblings, and fiancés.

[siats]

Fantastic. Welcome aboard! We need help bailing :)

[Right on Time]

siats wrote:

Fantastic. Welcome aboard! We need help bailing :)

LOL! Good point. ;-)

[old man river]

to those 88. you have my respect

[arizonan]

88 did it the legal way....millions are waiting for it to be GIVEN to them. If the millions get their way, without going down the proper path, what kind of citizens can we...the "American People" expect from them?...gimme, gimme, gimme!

[MBs]

Congrats to the 88 (and everyone else who has and is in the process of) doing it THE RIGHT WAY!

I still have the small American flag they gave me when I took my oath.

[disgusted]

say what wrote:

Just a formality for most of these people that will go home a still speak Spanish or any other language other then English. Now if we can only get the other 50 million illegals legalized. And with 30 million real Americans out of work, no we didn't want these jobs that they are doing did we?

You've stated your opionion, now here's mine. I think you're a jerk.

[lpta]

arizonan wrote:

88 did it the legal way....millions are waiting for it to be GIVEN to them. If the millions get their way, without going down the proper path, what kind of citizens can we...the "American People" expect from them?...gimme, gimme, gimme!

You are absolutely right. I applaud these new US citizens for persevering and doing this the right way. It will be a slap in the face to them and will invalidate all their hard work if all the illegal immigrants are simply given amnesty. I would hope that these new citizens would join us in helping to prevent this injustice.

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Congratulations, now get back to work! No seriously, it's a long hard process that few realize how difficult it is to assimilate all the information one has to gain in order to pass the tests and take the pledge. I'd love to go witness one of these proceedings. My paternal grandfather was the last one in my family to land at Ellis Isl. It say's a lot about this country if more want to get in than out. Freedom is not cheap and should never be taken for granted.... My wife, grandson and I are going to be at the world's shortest and then beat feet to the city for the rest of the day and to Chrissy Field for the light show as much as I distain fireworks but for a 2 1/2 yr old, it's awesome.

[Publican]

say what wrote:

Just a formality for most of these people that will go home a still speak Spanish or any other language other then English. Now if we can only get the other 50 million illegals legalized. And with 30 million real Americans out of work, no we didn't want these jobs that they are doing did we?

There are a lot of native-born Americans that speak foreign languages. And there are a lot of Americans living abroad that speak English in their homes. Just saying.(And when you get "naturalized"... you are a "real" American, with all the rights and opportunities available to every other citizen.)

[Carl Bendix]

Good story. I agree with all the posters except #13.(so what?)

[Carl Bendix]

On another thought...I wonder how these 88 new citizens feel about those that don't follow the rules and just barge through our borders and squat.

[Lucas]

I hope the Sanctuary City councils of Santa Cruz and Watsonville read this article and the related posts.

[no borders]

Everyone should come to the US. if americans cant compete, well, that's capitalism. They can go work the fields and mexicans wouldnt have to be invited so much as guest workers.

[Go Home]

I understand the USA is a better alternative than other nations....but that is changing.We are out of money to support the public services and state institutions. We are no longer the lifeboat for the third world we once were.Is it wise to let all these folks in?Will they ever leave-only when the pickins
is better at home. I feel way overcrowded in California, lots of what we love about this state is being degraded by too many competing for too few resources.If the USA became another Mexico or El Salvador, would these folks be banging our door in?I'd prefer all you folks go home:knock on our door during better economic times...and throw out all the illegals and their kids.I respect and appreciate that these folks did it the legal way, still doesn't change our crisis in health care/education/welfare.Gotta take care of existing citizens before welcoming new ones aboard a sinking lifeboat.Consider this:every new immigrant has a whole network of family and friends, who will utilize these new 'citizens' as sponsors and enablers in their own efforts to immigrate.Sooner or later we gotta shut the door, or it'll be standing room only. Sorry folks,bad timing...too many- too late.