Santa Cruz County welcomes 60 new citizens during ceremony

Lingling Wan of Santa Cruz shows her certificate of naturalization Monday at Cabrillo College in Aptos after being sworn in as a U.S. citizen. She was born in China. (Photos by Tarmo Hannula).

APTOS — Nine years after coming with his family to the United States from Guadalajara, Mexico, Asis Gonzalez became the final member of his family to be sworn in as a naturalized citizen.

Gonzalez, 21, said he came in 2003 with his father, mother, brother and sister looking for a way to support themselves.

“My family was struggling,” he said. “There were no jobs.”

Gonzalez joined 59 other new citizens from 13 countries Monday at a swearing-in ceremony at Cabrillo College in Aptos, just days before the nation celebrates its independence on July 4.

For the complete article see the 07-03-2012 issue.

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