The Transformative
Power of US CitizenShip
A father’s citizenship leads to stability for the entire family.
Rene M. and his wife at Rene’s swearing in ceremony.
The Circumstances
Born in Mexico, Rene was brought to the United States as a baby in the 1980s. The family left briefly, then returned in 1986 as permanent residents under the Amnesty Law that granted legal status to certain immigrants. Rene grew up, launched a career and got married; his wife is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient.
The Shift
In 2024, with two children and a baby girl on the way, Rene and his wife sought greater security for their growing family, aware that the future of the DACA program was becoming increasingly uncertain. If Rene became a US citizen, his wife could apply for permanent status and a green card. Research led Rene to One Percent for America (OPA), and with our 1% interest loan, Rene was able to apply for citizenship right away without having to front the entire cost himself.
The Results
In less than 90 days, US Citizenship and Immigration Services reviewed Rene’s application, and soon after, he had his naturalization appointment and swearing-in ceremony. With that, Rene was able to vote for the first time in his life, and he has already proudly served on a jury. In addition, his wife has now submitted paperwork for her green card. With a renewed sense of security and opportunity, Rene and his family are grateful to have made progress in their citizenship journeys; they encourage other immigrants to do the same.
I loved the entire process, and it turns out, it was rather easy and straightforward. I feel proud now to fulfill my duty as a citizen and play an integral role in my community.”
By the
Numbers
