New U.S. Citizens Exuberant About Their Achievement

For me, being a citizen of America is a dream that I had envisioned years ago, and today I can say with all my heart that it has been achieved.

Fabiola Robles Avila was a stranger in a strange land when she came to the United States from Mexico in 2021.

“When I first arrived in Milwaukee, my English was very poor,” said Fabiola Robles Avila, who was born in Ciudad, Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. “I looked for several places to study English, but they put up too many obstacles.” 

She found friendly faces and open arms at Milwaukee Area Technical College.

“They welcomed me, were kind and gave me confidence to continue studying,” Avila said.

On November 18, 2024, Avila was one of the 36 MATC students who completed all the requirements to become newly naturalized United States citizens. The students were celebrated at a New Citizen Recognition & Resource Fair at Walker’s Square, 816 W. National Ave. 

The celebration honored the hard work and dedication of MATC students as they take important steps toward continuing their academic goals and transition into a certificate, diploma, or degree program. 

The students were surrounded by family and friends, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, MATC President Dr. Anthony Cruz, Milwaukee Common Council President and Alderman 12th District, José G. Pérez, and their English Language Learner (ELL) instructors, staff and community partners.

“As the son of Cuban immigrants, I know how emotional this day is,” said Dr. Cruz, who became MATC’s 11th president in July. “Pride, joy, perhaps even relief after such a lengthy process. Today we recognize and celebrate the reward for your patience: citizenship.

“President Barack Obama noted that it is citizens — ordinary men and women, determined to forge their own future — who throughout history have sparked all the great change and progress,” Dr. Cruz said. “You are better positioned to change your lives, change the lives of your family members, change this community we all share and yes, change this country.”

Led by MATC instructor Veronica Torres, the new citizens all received recognition certificates.

“For me, being a citizen of America is a dream that I had envisioned years ago, and today I can say with all my heart that it has been achieved,” said new U.S. citizen Daniel Rosario Sánchez. “With this great achievement in my life, I can make my voice heard in my community, city and country, continue to give the best of myself, and at the same time serve as an example and motivation for many of us who, due to fear and misinformation, do not dare to take this great step.” 

See more photos from the event

“I just want to remind all of you that nothing is impossible when you focus on what you want to achieve and put God first,” Robles Avila said. “Be patient sometimes the wait is longer because the blessing is bigger. If I could do it, you can do it too.” 

The resource fair provided the newly naturalized citizens and their families with information to help ease the transition into post-secondary education programs, navigate financial aid and scholarship options available to citizens, and assist with voter registration.

MATC’s Education Center at Walker’s Square offers ELL classes, basic skills courses for students who do not have a high school diploma, bilingual education programs, and community classes, like citizenship. The number of completers nearly doubled the number of student completers held last year.