Luis Montes, a translator for Scottsdale Unified School District, will fulfill a lifelong dream on Friday, April 1, when he is sworn in as an American citizen.

“Completing this long process is a dream. I’m happy to be part of a country where people with different ethnic groups, cultural backgrounds, and nationalities are able to live respecting and supporting the same constitutional rights to be happy under the same flag of freedom and opportunities,” said Montes.

Living in the United States of America since 1997, Montes was motivated by a personal issue in his life to become a citizen.

“My family was exiled from Cuba in 1968, and moved to Costa Rica instead of Miami or other places in U.S., like most of the Cubans. I always had the belief that I should be here in this country that represents the real promise of freedom. I chose this country to be my country. Here is where I plan to spend the rest of my life,” Montes said.

Montes’ advice to others who would like to become an American citizen – take the initiative and do it.

“It will make you feel proud to belong to a wonderful country that provides you the tools and conditions to be part of a real civilized society where you can say, you can decide, you can choose, you can be a respected individual. The best part, you can have the right to vote and contribute to make this country better, more tolerant,” said Montes.

The most difficult part of the process for Montes was completing the paperwork. The silliest part of the process were the mistakes made by an immigration lawyer. It took Montes a year to become an American Citizen.

The swearing in ceremony is at 1:30 p.m., on April 1, at the U.S. District Court, 401 W. Washington St., Phoenix.

For more information about becoming a citizen, please visit http://www.ins.gov

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