Just minutes after become a U.S. citizen on Tuesday, Refugio Avila was moved to tears when he learned he could vote in that day’s election.
Avila, who hails from Mexico, received his certificate of citizenship along with 50 other immigrants at a naturalization ceremony at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Avila said he had a few anxious months, wondering if the naturalization process would be complete by election day.
When Mayor Rahm Emanuel told the new citizens they would be able to register and vote that same day, Avila was overwhelmed.
“That was my main reason to become a citizen,” Avila said, “I was really excited and crying. One vote can change so many lives.”
Coming to America was Avila’s “dream,” however his drive to become a citizen is more a reaction to the 2016 election.
“I have nothing personal against Donald Trump,” Avila said, “But if it was not for him, I would not be a citizen today.”
Mayor Emanuel spoke about his grandfather, himself an immigrant, and urged the group to exercise their patriotic duty at the polls.
“It’s not the only way to do it, but it’s an important way to do it,” Emanuel said.
Avila said the ceremony was “beautiful” even if it was not what he was expecting.
“It’s different than I thought,” Avila said, “I thought there would be policemen. I was kind of scared and worried.”
Avila’s outsider perspective on the immigration debate in America, he said, led him to not expect much of a welcome.
Like Avila, Evelyn Tetteh, originally from Ghana, said the first thing she will do as an American is register and vote. Like Avila, had not been sure she would get that chance.
“I didn’t know I would have the opportunity to have my voice heard.” said Tetteh. “It makes me feel important.”
At the end of the ceremony, the mayor was presented with a program from the event, signed by all 50 of the city’s newest citizens.
“Usually at these events you talk about citizenship,” Emanuel said. “But I look out and I see a bunch of new Cubs fans.”
