By BJ Austin
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-727483.mp3
Dallas, TX – Maria Martinez, mother of three, lives in Irving. Wednesday, she became a U.S. citizen after 26 years in this country. She says it was very emotional.
Martinez: Oh yeah, I almost cried. I very excited. I'm so happy right now.
Martinez says she's an American now because of the La Escuelita program at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Irving. It's run by Elvia Wallace Martinez - no relation. She knows the system. She became a citizen after almost 30 years in the U.S. and several delays with her application.
Wallace Martinez: Finally, I was called for my test. When I was called for my test, and I was so excited, I thought my ceremony was going to happen immediately. Well, guess what, it took two more years.
It was much quicker process for Maria Martinez. She got a test date within months of her application; went to the Dallas Immigration offices; passed the test; then went downstairs and immediately took the oath. She left the building a U.S. citizen.
Maria Elena Garcia-Upson with Citizenship and Immigration Services says the extra money from fees increase last year allows security checks to be done more quickly, cutting the processing time. She also says they are often opting to immediately swear in willing new citizens instead of scheduling them for a mass swearing-in ceremony at a later date.
Elvia Wallace Martinez says taking the oath of citizenship is always momentous.
Wallace Martinez: I think the essence of it is just becoming a citizen of this country and being very free and legal. No fears, no hiding, no nothing - it's just so beautiful.
According to Citizenship and Immigration Services, in the two weeks leading to the Fourth of July holiday June 20th through July 6th, 21 thousand 210 people will become new Americans in ceremonies nationwide.