President Alexander Gonzalez urged hundreds of recently naturalized citizens to continue learning about the world and make education a part of their culture at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony today.

The ceremony, which was held at the Memorial Auditorium, granted citizenship to 811 immigrants from 88 countries.

Gonzalez, who spoke at the naturalization ceremony last April, is the eldest of seven children and was the first in his family to attend college. As a son of Mexican immigrants, he said he experienced hardships during his childhood, but education guided him in the right direction.

“For me, the keys to unlocking my potential were a strong sense of family, hard work and education,” he said, adding that many Sacramento State students are also first in their families to attend college.

He said many immigrant students seek higher education because they are looking for a better life.

Tina Nguyen, senior chemistry major at the University of California, Davis, agreed.

Nguyen is originally from Vietnam and has been living in the United States for more than five years. She said quality of education is one of the major reasons she moved to the U.S.

“I wanted to become a naturalized citizen for me, for my future,” she said. “I want to work here, and I want to live here.”

She added that she is looking forward to giving back to her new community.

Susan Curda, district director of USCIS in Sacramento, urged all naturalized citizens to give back to the community.

“You are now part of our family, and as members of our family we’re going to give you chores, just like every good family does,” Curda said. “And those chores are to show your involvement in this country, to vote, to get yourself involved in the community.”

Nallelie Vega can be reached at [email protected].