“I am thankful to the UFW Foundation because with their help, I was able to get my citizenship.”
Jose Ignancio Villatoro Rios, California
Jose Ignacio Villatoro Rios lives in Bakersfield where he has worked as a farm worker since 1987. In 2024, he became a U.S. Citizen with the help of the UFW Foundation
Jose Ignancio Villatoro Rios immigrated to the United States and lived in Los Angeles for a while. In 1987, he moved to Bakersfield to work as a farm worker, quickly establishing a love of working with potato crops. He decided to become a United States citizen because he wanted to feel more comfortable in this country by having protected status and also wanted to participate in the democratic process and vote.
Jose has applied to become a U.S. Citizen two times, having failed the civics test the first time around due to his inability to read or write in either English or Spanish and his memory issues. He was beginning to worry that he wouldn’t pass the test, but he was relieved to hear from the immigration officer that he passed and that he could take the Oath of Citizenship that day.
“I am thankful to the UFW Foundation because with their help, I was able to get my citizenship. The staff at the UFW Foundation were patient and helpful. They sat down with me and explained and helped me with my medical certification for disability form, which was the only obstacle on my way to becoming a citizen.”
Now that Jose has earned his citizenship, his main goal is to vote for the very first time in the election this upcoming November. He thinks this is an incredibly important part in being a citizen and needs to participate to help make a difference in his country.
Si Se Puede!
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