Noemi Ramos Felix’s 46-year wait for American citizenship culminated in a ceremonial moment on Thursday, where she finally heard the words she had longed to hear: ‘You are now an American citizen.’
With her hands pressed together in prayer, Felix expressed her gratitude, exclaiming, ‘It’s a dream come true, it’s my dream, it’s my sueño.’
Having moved to the United States from Zacatecas, Mexico, in 1979, Felix’s journey was unique but shared by many. She was one of 25 immigrants from 15 countries taking the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony at Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, before a game against the Detroit Tigers.
Felix is now a proud American citizen and works in environmental support at Northwest Community Hospital in Rolling Meadows. Her emotion is amplified by recent events as she recalled hearing about the detaining of at least 10 people in the South Loop by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of a crackdown initiated by the Trump administration.
Reflecting on her past experiences with immigration policy, she said, ‘It broke my heart when I [saw] that… Because before, that was my situation. Now, thank you God.’
With her new status, Felix plans to engage in immigration advocacy work, believing that if she could achieve her goal, others can too. ‘If I was able to obtain this goal, then others can as well,’ she said in Spanish.
Lazaro Sanchez, originally from Madrid, Spain, shared his excitement about finally gaining his citizenship. After moving to Chicago 10 years ago, he initially planned to stay for just a year.
He described his transformation, stating, ‘I feel like I was adopted by Chicagoans.’
Sanchez, a software engineer residing in Streeterville, relished the idea of having permanent residency. He proudly waved his American flag during the ceremony, with family from Spain watching via FaceTime. He acknowledged the challenges immigrants face, expressing, ‘I’m really happy to get it and also grateful because I know even Latinos, they try to get it and suddenly they just got deported for no reason, so it’s tough.’
Anesa Cengic Stiles also celebrated her new American identity on Thursday. Having fled the Bosnian genocide in her youth, she always felt like an American, but the official recognition of her citizenship made a significant difference. After overcoming numerous paperwork hurdles and consulting with an immigration lawyer, Stiles had previously feared rejection during the application process, which added to her anxiety.
When she was finally named a citizen, Stiles jumped for joy, saying, ‘I’m so excited about it.’ The relief of belonging was palpable as she reflected on her journey, noting, ‘On some level when you’re a foreigner in any country, not just America, you don’t fully feel like you belong.’
In another striking story, Lorena Elizondo, 48, and her son Patricio Garza, 20, celebrated their metamorphosis into U.S. citizens. The family moved to Chicago from Mexico nearly nine years ago. Elizondo, who works for an airline, and Garza, a student at Loyola University, expressed their nerves about the application process.
Elizondo advised others navigating the path to citizenship, saying, ‘Be patient, it’s a process.’ Her family, initially apprehensive about how they would be perceived, ultimately found comfort in the kindness they experienced, stating, ‘This country has always treated us well.’
As these new citizens reveled in their achievements, their stories not only illustrate the diverse fabric of America but also highlight the resilience and hope of those willing to pursue their dreams.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2025/06/05/newly-minted-u-s-citizens-celebrate-naturalization-at-rate-field-its-a-dream-come-true
