Mexican couple overcomes adversity to become legal U.S. citizens

A couple from Mexico feels a stronger sense of security now that they are becoming U.S. citizens.

Gloria Perez said she has been waiting many years for this moment. Gloria came to America 16 years ago with an L-1 VISA. She and her husband, Luis Martinez, along with their three daughters entered legally from Mexico to build a new life.

The family views the country as a land of opportunities, especially for their daughters. However, when their second VISA expired, they ran into trouble.

“The attorney had my visa on the desk and she declined it,” Luis said, “because she wants to charge me for the third time.”

They had a choice to make, which was to stay in America illegally or to go back to Mexico. The family decided to stay, but started the long road to citizenship.

Luis’ daughter, Didi Martinez, will never forget one scary moment during those “illegal years.”

“She was pulled over and the officers had to call my aunt to pick us up because she was undocumented and they arrested her,” Didi said.

At the time, Didi was 11-years-old.

On Monday, Didi and her sister, Eslie Martinez, feel a sense of pride and relief.

“With the ICE raids, it was really scary just in general seeing all these families torn apart,” Eslie said. “It brings me security that that won’t happen to my parents.”

“I feel so blessed,” Gloria said. “I feel so happy.”

Gloria is full of joy, knowing that soon her husband will also take the same oath of allegiance to the United States and become a free man. More than 30 people locally took part in that final step on Monday.

“We had the interview and test on the same day,” Luis said. “But I’m still waiting for the letter to take my oath.”