200 immigrants become legal U.S. citizens - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

200 immigrants become legal U.S. citizens

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  • Immigration

  • The Senate Judiciary Committee is aiming this week to pass a landmark immigration bill to secure the border and offer citizenship to millions, setting up a high-stakes debate on the Senate floor.
    Senators working on a wide-ranging immigration bill have agreed to tighten controls on the asylum system that allows people fleeing war or persecution to find refuge in the U.S.
  • Representatives of Pinal County and the federal government have started discussing the possibility of renegotiating the county's money-losing contract to house federal immigration detainees in the county jail in...
    Representatives of Pinal County and the federal government have started discussing the possibility of renegotiating the county's money-losing contract to house federal immigration detainees in the county jail in Florence.
  • The current system of immigration enforcement and deportation produces a constant flow of people north and south that provides the cartel with a vulnerable labor pool and steady source of revenue.
    The current system of immigration enforcement and deportation produces a constant flow of people north and south that provides the cartel with a vulnerable labor pool and steady source of revenue.
AVONDALE, Ariz. -

The day they become U.S. citizens is always a proud day for immigrants. But with a new immigration reform plan on the horizon, today's ceremonies held special meaning.

This is the day 200 new U.S. citizens have waited years to see.

"You have to be at least five years a resident to be a U.S. citizen," says Beateriz Figueroa, who's lived here for 8 years.

Most of the people gathered in Avondale have been in the country much longer than that, and worked hard to get where they are today

You might expect some are bitter hearing the president's announcement of an immigration reform proposal, creating a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. But you'd be wrong.

"Give them a chance, they're already here, give them a chance, help them to go through the process," says Tshigik Kabash, who's lived here for 12 years. "We need them in this country."

These newly sworn citizens feel for the plight of deported immigrants.

"You have family, you have friends, you know one day they can just come and tell you 'hey you've got to go,'" says Kabash.

Having worn an immigrant's shoes, these citizens realize what it means to be an American.

"Where you can express your opinion, where you can try to achieve anything you want and nobody stop you."

There were two ceremonies to swear in new U.S. citizens Wednesday in Avondale.

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