Whistlestop JULY 2012
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Whistlestop Citizenship Class Helps Norma Barrientos Fulfill Two Dreams By JOHN BOWMAN
T
he American Dream has different scenarios for different people. For Norma Barrientos of San Rafael, her dream had two scenes: Scene One was being able to vote; Scene Two was bringing her mother here from Guatemala. Scene One was played “I really out on appreciate June 5th when Norwhat voted Whistlestop ma in her first election has done in the US. for me.” Scene Two will take place later this summer. Norma, 42, came from the little town of El Lobo, Guatemala in 1990. She was one of seven children, the middle child. “It took sixteen years to get my permanent residency, my green card,” she said. That allowed her to go back and forth between here and her
Lupita Piembert Uses Media Status to Help Others page 5
native country. Her father was able to get permanent residency in the US, but twice the INS has denied her mother a visitor visa, with no reason given. Norma knew that if she attained US Citizenship, she could bring her mother here. She joined Sandra Jimenez's Whistlestop Citizenship Class late last year. “I knew she would become a citizen quickly,” recalls Sandra. “She was so diligent about her studies.” Norma became a US citizen on May 9th when she was sworn in with 1,200 others in a memorable ceremony in Oakland. She came back to Whistlestop that afternoon and spoke to Sandra’s class about the experience. “Everyone was clapping and saying congratulations,” she remembers. “Whistlestop is wonderful. I am very happy that I found out about this place and about Sandra’s class. I really appreciate what Whistlestop has done
Whistlestop Class Helps People Gain Independence page 7
Norma Barrientos, with her US Citizenship Certificate. for me because it has allowed me to become a citizen, and now I can make my longtime dream come true and bring my mother here.” Norma is married to Jose Manual Ruiz, who became a citizen two years ago. They have two daughters, Leslie, 15, and Celeste, 6, both born in the US. Norma currently works as a nurse’s aide at a retirement home. Her next dream: to become a lab tech at a clinic or hospital. She hopes to take classes at College of Marin, where she learned English shortly after arriving here.✦
Liza Cozad New Whistlestop Board Member page 13