"We came to this country 35 years ago, and now, for the first time, I feel safe—and that I truly belong here.”
Celina became a legal permanent resident in 2006, but for many years she delayed applying for U.S. citizenship, unsure of how to navigate the immigration process.
That changed in July 2025, when she attended a workshop hosted by Catholic Charities’ Immigration and Refugee Resettlement (IRR) program. Encouraged by what she learned, Celina decided it was finally time to begin her naturalization journey. “I felt it was time to do it,” she said. “With all that is happening in the news, I felt I couldn’t wait any longer to do this for my family.”
Throughout the process, Celina felt supported every step of the way by IRR staff. They helped her complete and submit her naturalization application and connected her to civics classes at St. Athanasius Parish in Long Beach, where she prepared for the citizenship exam.
With dedicated legal support and her own hard work, Celina successfully became a U.S. citizen in January 2026.
Reflecting on her journey, Celina expressed deep gratitude for the support she received. “I’m so happy and relieved that I went through it and did it,” she said. “We came to this country 35 years ago, and now, for the first time, I feel safe—and that I truly belong here.”
