With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
122 children receive their US citizenship certificates in downtown LA
Inside the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices downtown, during a children’s citizenship ceremony April 26, 2012.
(
Ruxandra Guidi/KPCC
)
Fourteen-year-old Samuel Douek (L) and his dad, Ezra.
(
Ruxandra Guidi/KPCC
)
Listen
1:02
122 children receive their US citizenship certificates in downtown LA
U.S. citizenship ceremonies are regularly held around the country, but children rarely get their own chance to be recognized as new Americans.
Fourteen-year-old Samuel Douek’s face was beaming as he stood in line to receive his citizenship certificate. Holding a small U.S. flag, he said he’s one of 10 children in his family to become a citizen — he’s the last, because he’s also the youngest.
His Australian family has been in the U.S. on and off for years. His dad, Ezra, was so glad to see his last child become a citizen that he forgot to let Samuel speak for himself.
“He made the pledge, and he also [made] the oath, and then we watched Obama," Douek said. "It was very exciting, and very, very, very touching."
Sponsor
Samuel was one of 122 kids who received certificates of citizenship thanks to their already-naturalized parents, as in Samuel’s case, or through adoption.
Under the law, a child automatically becomes a U.S. citizen when at least one of his or her parents is a U.S. citizen, and when the child is under 18 and living with their parents within the country.
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Today, on Giving Tuesday, your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why on this Giving Tuesday, we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Today, on Giving Tuesday, your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why on this Giving Tuesday, we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
