A grin spread quickly over Sandra Luz Cordero de Herrera’s face as she considered what just happened five minutes ago.
Longmont’s Herrera stood with 18 others in front of several elected officials at Centennial Village in Greeley, Thursday, where raised her hand and pledged her allegiance to her new country. She then clutched her tiny American flag, hugged her husband and son and beamed at the thought she was now officially a United States citizen.
“Being an American means opportunity, the American Dream,” said Herrera, who has lived in Longmont for 20 years. “I love this country. My family is here, my hopes are here.”
Herrera, who moved here from Mexico, is joining 9,400 new citizens in 170 naturalization ceremonies across the country between June 30 and July 7. The ceremonies mark the end of their work toward becoming U.S. citizens and a beginning of their new lives and commitment to America, said officials who welcomed Herrera and the other newly minted citizens at the Greeley event.
“Register to vote, become informed voters, this is your country now, get involved,” State Representative Mary Young told them.
Rhonda Solis, director with Greeley’s District 6 School Board, told Herrera and others to embrace their new country while holding onto their cultures. “Share them with us, make us richer.”
Colorado Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera told the crowd immigrants have always held the toughest and most important jobs in the United States. Primavera said although they are new residents of the country, they will still encounter racism.
But don’t let that discourage them, she said, adding: “You belong.”
The new citizens at the Greeley ceremony came from 10 different countries and as part of the ceremony, they were asked to renounce their allegiance to those lands. Herrera did so without hesitation.
Herrera’s son Mario said his mom works in the janitorial staff at a business in Longmont. “She has really looked forward to this day,” Mario said. “She is really happy.’
