By Isabel Latz
As of this month, I am fortunate to call myself a citizen of the United States. This country, where I have lived, worked, and studied for the past 12 years, is now officially my home. It is where I married my soulmate, where our child was born, and where I have built a life alongside people from the United States, Mexico, and all over the world. They are my family, my friends, and my community.
Standing among my fellow soon-to-be American citizens at the oath ceremony, I reflected on the privilege we were about to gain and the responsibilities we were pledging to uphold. Alongside our certificate of naturalization, we received a pocket-version of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution as a reminder that these are our foundational rights as citizens, which we ought to practice and protect for ourselves and others.
Citizenship is more than a legal status; it is an opportunity to shape the nation that has given me so much. And I cannot wait to use this power for good!
The first way I plan to do that? Voting.
The day after I became a citizen, I started the process of registering to vote through the user-friendly website vote.gov. Even though voting is not mandatory, I consider it my duty to actively participate in our democracy. Not only is voting the single, most direct way to help shape policies that align with my values, but it is also an act of honoring people in this country and globally who do not have that same privilege (and just like me only a week ago, are unable to make their voices heard this way).
Obtaining U.S. citizenship has also raised my awareness of the opportunities to contribute to the changes I hope to see in my community. It starts with becoming more civically involved, whether by showing up to town halls and other gatherings, sharing people’s stories about how policies affect them, or perhaps even running for office myself one day.
Through the website runforsomething.net it is easy to start the process of identifying possibilities to run for a local office, whether it is for a school board, city council, or other leadership positions.
As a new citizen, I also feel compelled to give back to my community through volunteering and other efforts, especially in the areas that have enriched my family’s life over the years, such as our local libraries, parks and recreation facilities, and the arts.
This change of status is also meaningful for my role as assistant professor in public health. Part of my role as an educator is to empower people to take collective action as interdependent members of communities. After all, our health and well-being depend on broader social policies—ones that ensure access to quality and affordable health care, education and housing, fair wages, and a sustainable environment.
As a citizen, I am determined to use my voice to advocate for these essential resources.
I encourage other legal residents who already qualify or will soon qualify for U.S. citizenship to get their application process started. Information about the requirements can be found at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
There are also local organizations that provide assistance to people who need it, including Estrella del Paso or Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center.
If you already have the power to vote – and the privileges of citizenship – I hope that you use it.
What I want for my family and community is the same that I wish for all Americans, regardless of their legal status – access to opportunities that allow them to live healthy and fulfilling lives. As a new citizen, I am committed to doing my part to bring us closer to that goal.
Isabel Latz lives with her family in El Paso.
The post Opinion: As a new citizen, I’ll use my voice and vote for good appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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