I was just nine years old when I moved to this country, leaving everything I have ever known behind. Mexico had been my whole world.

Today that is changing. I am becoming a citizen of a great country. One that has filled me with dreams and opportunities.

My father and mother have fought long and hard to make this a reality. This is not an easy process, it takes years to accomplish and lots of money.

According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), as of 2013, approximately 41.3 million immigrants lived in the United States, and this number just keeps increasing.

The United States attracts about 20 percent of the world’s international migrants, but it represents less that 5 percent of the world’s population, and out of the total 316 million U.S. residents, 13 percent are immigrants.

I am just one of that 13 percent, but today something is different. I am becoming a United States citizen and no one can stop me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Fernanda Perez