American citizenship: One Airman's dream becomes reality

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFNS) --  A contracting specialist from the 92nd Contracting Squadron here fulfilled his dream of becoming an American Airman -- literally, March 27 when a Spokane, Wash., judge swore him in as a legal citizen.

"The most important thing about citizenship for me is that I can finally get a secret clearance to better serve the Air Force and my country," said Airman 1st Class Abraham Garduza, responsible for Air Force contracts totaling more than $1 million.

"I always wanted to do something important with my life," added the 23-year-old Matamoros, Mexico native. "I wanted to do something I could be proud of doing while continuing my education."

Garduza was one of more than 32,000 U.S. military members serving as a legal resident in hopes of attaining citizenship. While most Airmen are focused on on-the-job training and career development courses, Airmen like Garduza are also studying material including U.S. history, government and language they'll need to pass their citizenship examination -- material most Americans haven't touched since grade school.

"Since getting my citizenship, I have felt so incredibly humbled," said the volunteer soccer coach, who is proud to own a Mexican national soccer team jersey his girlfriend gave him. "I thoroughly enjoy what I do and the people I work with."

Passing a 100-question-plus examination and successfully completing an interview was only part of the process. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a person may be eligible to apply for naturalization under section 328 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. However, there are many factors they must consider first.

Under this section, servicemembers like Garduza must meet numerous guidelines including being able to read, write and speak basic English; having been a person of good moral character; and having continuously resided in the United States for at least five years.

"Now I feel like I belong," Garduza said. "Not only does getting my citizenship allow me to better serve America, but it also allows me to vote -- a right I now have under the constitution as a U.S. citizen."

It would have been much harder for Garduza to become a citizen had it not been for the generosity of another person who helped him attain his residency.

"It was tough," said Garduza, who's maintained a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend. "I was a poor college student when I first decided to start the process toward citizenship."

Working toward his Bachelor's of Art in psychology from the University of Texas in Austin, Garduza was befriended by a generous law professor, Ramiro Canales, who fronted the cost of Garduza's residency application, which at the time cost more than $1,000.

"To have someone so generous at that stage of my life meant the world," he said.

However, Canales wasn't the only influential player in Garduza's development. His mother, Beatriz Martinez, was also pivotal in his ability to seek a higher education and eventually serve in the Air Force.

"My mom has been really helpful," he said. "Her guidance and support -- I just don't know where I'd be without her."

In Mexico, when students reach high school, the families must pay for tuition - much like students do for college here. Garduza and his family moved from Mexico to the states when he was only 11 years old. His parents wanted to ensure he had access to better education opportunities not available in Mexico.

"My parents weren't the wealthiest," he said. "But still wanted to ensure my siblings and I had a chance to excel in our lives."

Garduza said he also wants the same education opportunities for his children when he starts a family with his loving girlfriend he said he hopes to one day marry.

"I definitely believe that as human beings we want the best for our kids' futures," he said. "So I'll do whatever I can to also facilitate a powerful educational future for my kin."

But he said he's still looking on into the future and that he's not finished.

"I'd like to become an officer in the future too," Garduza continued. "I think it's important for me to see and understand what life is like on the enlisted side."

Garduza also needed his citizenship in order to become an officer -- something he wasn't able to do even though he joined with a bachelor's degree.

"They're all stepping stones to becoming the best man I can be," he said. "I've always wanted to do something I love and be proud of who I am along the way."