Mr. President. on July 4 of this year. our country will welcome thousands of permanent resident aliens as new U.S. citizens. Five hundred people will take the oath of citizenship at a special ceremony on Ellis Island. and a record 12.000 will become naturalized at the Orange Bowl. While this day will be one of celebration and fulfillment for thousands. to others it will bring frustration and disappointment. A recent Wall Street Journal article tells the story of Jose Rodriguez. This 79yearold immigrant from Cuba. who has lived here since 1980. was bitterly disappointed when told he cannot become a citizen unless he can demonstrate that he has mastered the English language. He shouted in Spanish. "I love President Reagan. Id give my life for him. I love this country. I have no other." June 2d6. 1986 Scenes like this are not uncommon in the offices of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Elderly people who are qualified in every other way are barred from U.S. citizenship because they have difficulty in mastering the English language. Some. like Jose and Manuela Broche of Rockville.
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immigrant Immigration Naturalization naturalized