Los Angeles: Record crowds of immigrants -- more than 18,000 in all -- took citizenship oaths here, a showing credited to rising fees, a heated debate over illegal immigration and one of the brand-new Americans raising their hands.

In becoming a citizen, radio host Eduardo "Piolin" Sotelo was taking the advice he has frequently dispensed on the nation's most popular Spanish-language radio show.

"This is a new page in my life," the native of Mexico said yesterday as he was swarmed by well wishers and fans clamoring for a photo. "We have to make a difference."

Sotelo, who came to the country illegally 22 years ago in a car trunk, chronicled his own citizenship process as he urged fellow Hispanics to seek citizenship at a time when immigration is still a hot-button issue and a presidential election is underway.

The need for three separate ceremonies at the Los Angeles Convention Center -- a local record for the number of people sworn in one day -- reflected a 350 per cent increase in citizenship applications last summer before immigration fees jumped from USD 400 to USD 675 on Aug 1.

On top of that, Spanish-language media, including Univision and Telemundo, launched massive campaigns to get more immigrants to become citizens and vote.

Sotelo, the outspoken host of the Los Angeles-based morning show "Piolin por la manana" has used his syndicated soapbox to rally hundreds of thousands to march for immigration reform and encourage legal residents to become Americans. The show is aired in at least a dozen US markets.
Source : PTI