Artículo

Álvaro Garcia - New U.S. Citizen

Álvaro Garcia emigrated from Venezuela 20 years ago but had been unable to apply for citizenship due to the cost of the application.

In June 2022, Garcia learned about One Percent for America (OPA) from his wife, who had seen a news segment about the program on television. Despite emigrating from Venezuela 20 years earlier, the high cost of the citizenship application had kept him from pursuing it. "I made the call to OPA, sent in my information and the next day, I was approved for a loan," he says. With OPA's low-interest loan, he was finally able to apply for citizenship. By November 2022, he became a U.S. citizen, and now is able to petition for his wife's citizenship as well.

“When people put their money into OPA, they are helping people achieve the American dream, something those people couldn’t do before, because they lacked the $900 or $1,500 they needed for the paperwork.”

Garcia is excited to tell his friends about OPA. He notes, "There are thousands of people whom OPA could help."

The Garcias moved to the U.S. after the Venezuelan government nationalized Garcia's business. Today, he works in solar panel sales and actively promotes green energy. Over time, his entire family followed. "In the past four years, my sister and my brother moved here. My mother came two years ago. Living in this country, she had to start from scratch - but she is so happy here."

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Alvaro and wife
One Percent for America borrower Álvaro Garcia and his wife Jossey near their home in Florida. Credit: © Eileen Escarda, All Rights Reserved

"If you have always been in this country, it is hard to appreciate what it offers. I am most grateful for the mobility. I can get in my car and drive from Miami to Seattle, and no one will stop me, asking to see my papers." He continues, "That freedom is one of the main reasons we moved to this country - and why people risk crossing the Rio Grande or arriving on rafts. We all want to get to the best country in the world."

"I see the American flag now, and go, 'Yes!' This is a country that opened its arms to me in a unique way, and now I am part of it. I am so grateful that my wife heard about OPA."
 

Invirtiendo en todos

Su apoyo financiero ayudará a que la obtención de la ciudadanía sea más económica para millones de futuros estadounidenses.

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