On April 4th, 2007 I attended in Garland, TX the ceremony of naturalization as a citizen of the United States. It was very emotional and well attended event and an appropriate ending after a long, long process. On that day, I and 2,700 other immigrants from 124 different countries became citizens and received our "birth certificate" or certificate of naturalization. There were only four Colombians in the group but more than 200+ Mexicans and 300+ Indian nationals!

I am in the process of getting my BLUE passport which will bear my new name MARIA FERNANDA REY MARSTON and will save me endless weekly trips to consulates and embassies trying to get visas to enter different countries. I will stay very commited to my birth country but I am very excited to be an American now, especially with elections coming up!

Thanks to all for your immigration letters of support and for your help during these 12 years,

Maria