Meet Álvaro G.
I see the American flag now, and go, ‘Yes!’ This is a country that opened its arms to me in a unique way, and now I am part of it. I am so grateful that my wife heard about OPA.
A Long Journey Toward Citizenship
Álvaro emigrated from Venezuela 20 years ago but had been unable to apply for citizenship due to the cost of the application. In June 2022, Álvaro learned about One Percent for America (OPA) from his wife, who had seen a news segment about the program on television. Despite emigrating from Venezuela 20 years earlier, the high cost of the citizenship application had kept him from pursuing it. With OPA’s low-interest loan, he was finally able to apply for citizenship. By November 2022, he became a U.S. citizen, and was able to petition for his wife’s citizenship as well.
Álvaro and his family moved to the U.S. after the Venezuelan government nationalized his business. Today, he works in solar panel sales and actively promotes green energy. Over time, his entire family followed. “In the past four years, my sister and my brother moved here. My mother came two years ago. Living in this country, she had to start from scratch — but she is so happy here.”
Gratitude for Freedom and Opportunity
“If you have always been in this country, it is hard to appreciate what it offers. I am most grateful for the mobility. I can get in my car and drive from Miami to Seattle, and no one will stop me, asking to see my papers.” He continues, “That freedom is one of the main reasons we moved to this country — and why people risk crossing the Rio Grande or arriving on rafts. We all want to get to the best country in the world.”
“I see the American flag now, and go, ‘Yes!’ This is a country that opened its arms to me in a unique way, and now I am part of it. I am so grateful that my wife heard about OPA.”
There are thousands of people whom OPA could help.