13 people become US citizens on Citizenship Day after delay due to COVID-19

Reporter: Andrea Guerrero
Published: Updated:
Thirteen people in Fort Myers became citizens of the United States Thursday. (WINK News)

Citizenship delayed, but not denied. Thirteen patient people are now American citizens.

“I think the application began last year of 2019, but the goal was from the moment we got here,” said Manuel Herrera, who came to receive citizenship with his parents.

That moment, the 20-year-old said, was six years ago when they arrived from Cuba. For his father, Jasier Barreras, it was a difficult decision.

Manuel Herrera and his parents when the came to the U.S from Cuba. (Provided to WINK News)

“You leave everything behind you,” he said. “You have to learn a new culture, you have to learn a language, you have to be prepared to live in a different society and it’s hard.”

But all of that change was worth it.

“Freedom. We got the freedom to express ourselves, to live in freedom,” Barreras said.

“How thankful I am, how much it meant that they left everything behind so that I could have everything I have,” said Herrera.

Even though they were wearing masks, you could still see their smiles.

Manuel Herrera, Yaremi Morales and Jasier Barreras. (WINK News)

The family planned to take their oath before the pandemic, but it got pushed back until Sept. 17 — the day the United States celebrates Citizenship Day.

“It wasn’t the plan, but it was amazing that it happened on this day,” Barreras said.

“It’s amazing that all of us got to do it together,” Herrera added.

Yaremi Morales received her citizenship after six years. “This country opened its arms to us as their sons, as their family, and this is a big accomplishment that we are getting today,” she said.

A journey this family accomplished together.

“We are blessed, we are blessed … we definitely are,” said Barreras.

The pandemic delayed citizenship ceremonies for more than 300,000 people nationwide, including 35,000 here in Florida.

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