"You Have Made the Greatest Nation in the World Even Stronger"

Citizenship Day Statement by Mauro E. Mujica

September 17 is a memorable day for all Americans, not only because it serves as a reminder that many of us have an immigrant past, but because it is also the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. This combination of two of America's most unique traits is a commemoration we should hold in the highest regard.

As a naturalized citizen of the United States, I would like to extend the warmest welcome to those who have met the responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. With a dedication that has included hard work, separation from relatives and learning a new language, you have made the greatest nation in the world even stronger. Let us never forget the efforts we have made for a better life and a better nation.

It is my sincere hope that the U.S. Office of Citizenship will continue to hone the naturalization standards so that our newest citizens are able to follow in the footsteps of past generations of successful immigrants. These standards, which include a demonstration of proficiency in English and American history, are the keys to maintaining the proud immigrant tradition of the United States.

Regardless of the customs and traditions we maintain, coming together as one people speaking one common language is the ideal expressed in our national motto: E Pluribus Unum, or from many, one. It is through this unity that our nation of immigrants has become the ideal to which so many aspire.

Selected facts about naturalization in the United States:

• According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 19,310,438 immigrants have been naturalized as U.S. citizens between Fiscal Year (FY)1907 and FY2002, including 573,508 in the most recent fiscal year.
• Of these most recent new Americans, the highest number were immigrants from Mexico (76,531), followed by those from Vietnam (36,835), India (33,774), China (32,018) and the Philippines (30,487). Korea, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Poland and Ukraine rounded out the top 10 most common former homelands for newly naturalized citizens in FY2002.
• In FY2002, California was the home of the most newly naturalized U.S. citizens, 149,554. The Golden State was followed by other immigrant gateways that have long been popular — New York (94,276), Florida (44,792), Texas (42,828) and Illinois (32,636). These five states alone accounted for 63 percent of those naturalized in FY2002, and were followed by New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan and Georgia. On the other hand, there were only 58 Idahoans and seven Montanans among newly naturalized U.S. citizens in FY2002.

U.S. English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non-partisan citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S. English, Inc. (www.usenglish.org) now has more than 1.8 million members.