‘It’s truly a blessing’: Elgin honors 32 new U.S. citizens

With certificates of recognition and small American flags in hand, 32 recently naturalized U.S. citizens hugged family and friends and smiled for photos following Elgin's 25th annual new citizen recognition ceremony Tuesday night at the Centre of Elgin.

One of the biggest smiles belonged to Mary Joy Cutab of West Dundee, who shared the experience with her mother, Margenia Cutab.

Both became citizens in October, 10 years after immigrating from the Philippines.

“It’s truly a blessing,” Mary Joy said. “Not all have the privilege or the opportunity. So we’re very grateful.”

She said the ceremony was much more celebratory than when she became a citizen.

“That was more formal, which is understandable,” she said. “This really gives you that sense of belonging and being recognized as part of the community.”

The timing of the citizenship process gave Margenia, 69, an opportunity for which she had been waiting a long time.

“I got to vote,” she said.

The event is for people naturalized in the past year who either live, work or have taken citizenship classes in Elgin. It is coordinated by a group of community volunteers representing Elgin Community College, Gail Borden Public Library, The Literacy Connection, Elgin History Museum, Centro de Información, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, YWCA Elgin and the city of Elgin.

Judge Julio Cesar Valdez, who immigrated from Mexico in the 1970s with his parents and eight siblings, emceed the event, which takes place each year around the Fourth of July.

He said those being recognized hailed from a list of countries, including Burma, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Laos, Mexico, the Philippines and Thailand.

“For many of you here, citizenship was a birthright, but for our honorees and many others, it was a journey,” Valdez said.

The new citizens received certificates and shook hands with Elgin Mayor David Kaptain and about a dozen other local elected officials before receiving small American flags and having their photos taken in front of a festive, patriotic backdrop.

Kaptain met with the group before the ceremony.

“It was my honor and my privilege to sign every one of your certificates, and it means so much to me,” he said. “I thought about each one of you and the struggle you had and what it takes to become a citizen.”

Annie Jarvis, immigration services coordinator for the YWCA Elgin, explained the process of becoming a citizen that she and all the participants experienced.

“The naturalization process is long, demanding, and, at times, overwhelming,” she said. “Now, after years of sacrifice and hard work, you’re not just living in this country. You are part of it.”

Jarvis said that comes with the responsibility to help shape their future by voting. She also alluded to the recent federal crackdown on illegal immigration.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m angry. I’m angry about how our community is being treated by a country that promised us hope, opportunity and justice,” she said. “Too often, we see our people overlooked, unheard, or worse, targeted.”

She urged the new citizens to “stand with those who don’t have the same privileges that we do now.”

“Speak out for those still in the fight, for immigrants, for working families, for our neighbors who deserve the same chance we earned today,” Jarvis said.