Citizenship Lesson From the Top
Chief of Federal Office Reaches Out to Immigrant Teens

By Lori Aratani
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

They impressed him with their knowledge of President Bush's Cabinet and ability to give numerous examples illustrating the U.S. system of checks and balances. But it was their tough questions -- "Why can't legal immigrants have the right to vote?" and "If immigrants are so important, why are some being sent back out of the country?" -- that really got Alfonso Aguilar's attention.

Aguilar, chief of the U.S. Office of Citizenship, met with 30 teenage immigrants yesterday at Gaithersburg High School for a 90-minute civics lesson and question-and-answer session in which the students took full advantage of their right to hold their government officials accountable.

Aguilar's appearance in Gaithersburg is part of the government's push to reach out to the immigrant community and encourage its members to learn English and embrace American political culture. The effort comes as record numbers are applying for citizenship.

In response to the query regarding legal immigrants and voting, Aguilar replied, "That's a good question." He acknowledged that laws affect everyone, not just citizens, but said that if people want a voice in the process, they must make a commitment.

"It's important if you want to exercise your political rights that you be fully attached to our country," Aguilar said. "You need to take that public oath."

Zury Majano, a freshman, asked Aguilar to explain why states such as Virginia were passing laws targeting illegal immigrants.

"Isn't the right to an education a federal law?" the 14-year-old asked.

"That's a tough question," Aguilar replied. "The problem is we need immigration reform, and because we don't have immigration reform, a lot of states and communities are acting on their own."

He encouraged Zury and her fellow students to write letters to their representatives urging them to pass laws that would reform the immigration system.

Aguilar led a similar discussion earlier this year with older Vietnamese immigrants at the Long Branch Community Center in Silver Spring.

Yesterday, the vibe was different. The students were eager to share their knowledge of the U.S. political system. They debated the merits of direct and representative democracy with their guest. And they chuckled when he told them how he grew up eating beans and rice every night in Puerto Rico.

Aguilar, the son of a Costa Rican father and Italian mother, praised the students for their fearlessness in asking tough questions.

"Many of these students are not citizens, but they know more about the process than a lot of adults," he said.

The students are enrolled in an after-school course sponsored by Liberty's Promise, an Alexandria-based nonprofit group that teaches young immigrants about their roles as future citizens. In most cases, an immigrant must be at least 18 and have lived in the United States for five years to apply for citizenship. If the teen immigrant is married to a citizen, he or she has only to have lived in the United States for three years.

As part of the program, the teenagers learn about U.S. history and citizenship responsibilities. They take field trips, meet elected leaders and participate in community service projects.

Aguilar opened the after-school discussion with a DVD presentation, then led the group in a discussion about what it means to be an American. He also posed questions.

"What unites us?" he asked.

The students sat quietly as they pondered the question. Finally Rachid Louis, an 18-year-old senior, spoke.

"We all want a better life," he said. "And freedom."

Aguilar told the students that although America embraces different cultures, it is important for them to learn English, be involved in their communities and understand American political values.

He emphasized that they should play an important role within their families.

"Immigrant students in the U.S. play an important role because you help the first generation -- your parents -- navigate the community," he said. "I want to commend you for helping your parents."