MiraCosta College to Honor New Citizens

Sixty-nine graduates of MiraCosta College’s citizenship class have successfully obtained U.S. citizenship and will be honored during a special ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 26.  The ceremony will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the MiraCosta College Community Learning Center, 1831 Mission Ave. in Oceanside.

This is the third citizenship celebration held by MiraCosta College and will honor the largest graduating class thus far. This year, students participating in the ceremony range in age from 21 to 71 and have immigrated to the United States from Mexico, China, Scotland, Peru, Thailand, the Ukraine, Guatemala, Argentina and Russia.

MiraCosta Interim Superintendent/President John Hendrickson and Vice President of Instruction Pam Deegan, Paul Pierre from the Department of Homeland Security, and family and friends of graduates will participate in this celebration.  As part of the program there will also be student presentations and activities, including a special presentation to be given by John and Diane Velati, who will tell their immigration story.   The pair came to the United States from Argentina and decided to become U.S. citizens after their son joined the U.S. Air Force Academy. 

MiraCosta College’s citizenship instruction is offered at the Community Learning Center in Oceanside.  The program offers students a flexible schedule and personalized instruction in order to prepare them for the naturalization process.  Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate of achievement. For information about the ceremony or citizenship classes, contact Sylvia Ramirez at (760) 795-8719.