Concord Woman From Peru Naturalized in Unique Ceremony

-Vilma Vega, a Peruvian woman who lives in Concord raised her hand with 50 other immigrants during ceremonies in Richmond’s historic Craneway Pavillion last week.

By Sharon Rummery

USCIS Public Affairs Officer

Vilma Vega, a Concord resident from Peru, and 50 other immigrants stood transfixed in Richmond’s historic Craneway Pavillion, gathered there by officers of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on March 24. All raised their right hands on cue and repeated, some of them tearfully, the words of the Oath of Allegiance. When the last word was spoken, people from 22 nations became people from one – the United States of America. For a moment they stood hushed, then cheered and celebrated their arrival at the end of the immigration rainbow.

Vega and the 50 others sworn in on that day would have been sworn in among more than 1,000 others at one of USCIS’ ceremonies, usually held twice a month at Oakland’s Paramount Theater, were it not for an agreement between the immigration agency and the National Park Service.

Inked in 2006, the memorandum of understanding calls for USCIS and the NPS to collaborate on presenting naturalization ceremonies in beautiful national parks.

“Since Rosie the Riveter/World War II Homefront National Historical Park honors the contributions of women in industrial workplaces during time of war, it seems the perfect spot for a swearing-in ceremony that honors Women’s History Month,” said USCIS San Francisco Field Office Director Robin Barrett.

In the starring role as keynote speaker was Betty Reid Soskin, at age 94, the NPS’ oldest park ranger. She’d been honored at the start of the holiday season with an invitation to travel to Washington, D.C. and to light the national Christmas tree. She met President Obama on that trip.

Her role in the war effort didn’t include working as a riveter, or in any other capacity, on the ships of war. “Those jobs were segregated,” explains Reid Soskin, who is African American. She made her contribution as a clerk for the segregated Boilermakers union hall.

“We welcome your voice and your dreams,” she told the 51 newly sworn-in U.S. citizens.

Welcoming remarks were offered by Denise R. Ryan, the newly named Deputy Director of Congressional and External Relations for the NPS. “As our newest Americans, you’ve just taken ownership of our nation’s parks,” she said.

For Vega, a regional sales manager at Solar City in Concord, the moment came after living in the U.S. for 20 years, raising her son Albert as a single mother, and finding her own place in life. She arrived at age 15 with a boyfriend who later became the father of her son, and ultimately left the new mother and son to fend for themselves. What followed was a journey that included studies at U.C. Davis and a degree in Internal Relations.

“What appeals to me the most about citizenship is that I now qualify for more kinds of jobs,” said Vega. “I’d like to find a career where I can help others, do something along humanitarian lines.”

-images via Sharon Rummery