Holloman Airmen become American citizens

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sergeant Christopher D. Flahive
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  A naturalization ceremony took place recently in El Paso, Texas, recognizing a new group of American citizens. Within that group were two members of Team Holloman.

More than 1,000 applicants were granted U.S. citizenship March 11 during a ceremony at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center. The convention center was transformed into a federal court room for the ceremony with the Honorable Philip R. Martinez, United States District judge, presiding. 

Twenty-one service members, 17 from the Army, two from the Air Force and one from the Navy earned the privilege of participating.

The two Air Force members gaining U.S. citizenship were Airman 1st Class Stephanie Lennard from the 49th Services Squadron, and Airman 1st Class Alexandru Harangus from the 49th Civil Engineers Squadron.

"This opens a new horizon of opportunities" said Airman Lennard, who moved to the United States from Trinidad in 2001 and enlisted in the Air Force in 2007.

The process was a lot shorter for Airman Harangus, who moved to the United States in 2007 and joined the Air Force. 

"The process was easier than I had expected," he said. "It was all very well organized." 

The applicants were from 53 different countries including China, Iran, Vietnam, Russia, Haiti, Iran, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan and the Ukraine. 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security handles all applications for citizenship. All military members who are legal resident aliens can apply for citizenship without a mandatory waiting period. 

According to information from the Department of Homeland Security, the El Paso office is the fastest in the nation in getting military members their citizenship.