Immigrant families across KC sigh in relief after dozens gain U.S. citizenship
As arrests and deportations under President Donald Trump’s new administration are sending waves of fear throughout immigrant communities across the country and in Kansas City-area neighborhoods, a naturalization ceremony earlier this week brought relief to some families who have spent decades looking over their shoulders.
“Es una tranquilidad,” said Yolanda Cazarez on the courthouse steps in downtown Kansas City, Kansas — meaning, “it’s a relief.”
Cazarez, an Olathe resident, was among 86 people from about 36 countries granted U.S. citizenship status in KCK’s Robert J. Dole Courthouse on Tuesday.
Hundreds of the applicants’ loved ones and family members packed a federal courtroom, and overflow space, to show support. Their line leading into the courthouse ahead of the ceremony spanned the block.
Three families, all from Mexico, spoke with The Star after the mid-morning ceremony and said they feel like they can finally relax at a time when U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) is ramping up activity and making its presence known locally. KC area-based Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation (AIRR) reported at least two separate ICE arrests, at least one in Olathe and at least one in Kansas City, Missouri, in the past couple weeks.
The agency has targeted green card holders, locally and elsewhere. It’s making arrests at courthouses after immigration hearings and has separated parents from their children despite those individuals having legal work authorization.
Cazarez told The Star that she often hears people in the area talk about fears they have when news of recent arrests circulates.
But after 26 years here in the U.S., she doesn’t have to worry about herself anymore. She has five children back in Olathe, and has considered it her home for years. Although she was nervous to undergo the citizenship process, which she began in October 2024, she said the exam itself wasn’t as difficult as she initially anticipated.
“Es un gran logro, es un exito para mi,” she said, meaning she thinks it’s a major achievement for herself.
Elizabeth Tinajero, of Topeka, was the first of her sisters to complete the citizenship process, and it’s a huge relief to be done, she said. Her sisters are still in the process of acquiring citizenship, and Tinajero said she’s excited to get everyone over the line and to be able to reassure them that they’ll be able to pass the exam.
With most of her family members working during the morning, Tinajero was joined by her two nephews, who came out to cheer her on during the ceremony. They shyly smiled for a portrait on the courthouse steps with small American flags in hand.
Israel Avalos, who obtained his citizenship almost a decade ago, said he came out to show support for his wife during Tuesday’s naturalization ceremony. The couple has lived in the U.S. for about 25 years, he said.
As someone who has gone through the process himself, he said getting naturalized offers professional opportunities for immigrants and allows them to feel closer to their new home country. It also helps ease that fear during difficult times.
It’s worth noting that whether someone is able to get citizenship status varies on their ability to pay document filing fees associated with the process, on the amount of time they’ve lived in the country, on their ability to complete associated examinations and to complete background checks and offer necessary documentation.
