Leonys Martín and José Iglesias: Two Cubano Americanos
Being a naturalized citizen in the United States has a unique meaning as a Latino. I know this personally as a Mexican American whose parents are both naturalized American citizens.
The picture of my father taking his oath in Chicago is one of my most treasured photos I have of him. Being an American citizen is a privilege not promised to all, and that status often means being fortunate enough to carry on a better life.
Recently Leonys Martín and José Iglesias of the Detroit Tigers had the unique privilege to be sworn in as American citizens in uniform before a Tigers game at Comerica Park.
The Tigers have held citizenship ceremonies for several years, but this was the first time two of their players took the historic oath in front of their fans.
“Becoming an American citizen on the diamond in my uniform was something very special,” Iglesias said. “It was an extremely unique experience and very special because thanks to baseball I am in the U.S. and thanks to baseball I am who I am and I owe it all to baseball.”
This Fourth of July was their first as American citizens. They couldn’t be happier to celebrate the holiday as Americans. Unfortunately for Martín he had recently been placed on the disabled list, but Iglesias was excited and felt fortunate to play baseball on the Fourth.
“I feel very happy to play on the Fourth of July. It’s a privilege to play in the best baseball in the world and truly a blessing,” Iglesias said.
According to the Pew Research Center in order to be eligible for U.S. citizenship, immigrants must be 18 or older, have resided in the U.S. for at least five years as lawful permanent residents and be in good standing with the law, among other requirements. The multi-step process to obtain U.S. citizenship begins with submitting an application and paying a $725 fee, including an $85 biometric fee. It culminates with an oath of allegiance to the United States. Current processing times range from seven months to a year.
That’s quite a lengthy process that Martín and Iglesias were happy to have finished. They were grateful to have gone through in order to secure their status. Martín was able to do the oath alongside his wife.
“It’s a great opportunity for me and my family,” Martín said. “Being an American citizen is a great opportunity. I have two children who were born in the United States, and this is very big deal. This is one of the best countries in the world. We are very proud to have become citizens.”
According to the Pew Research Center as of 2015 only 42 percent of Mexican immigrants eligible to become citizens went through with the naturalization process.
I mentioned my own experiences on how I knew some Latinos who were adamant on not becoming naturalized citizens even though they were eligible because of their pride and loyalty to their home lands. Martín didn’t agree with this mindset.
“The world has changed,” he said. “We’re in a completely different period in time. My heart is Cuban and I am very grateful to be born Cuban. I am thankful for the United States giving me the opportunity to be here.”
One thing was for sure, they will never lose their Cuban identity and being cubanos.
“I still feel Cuban, 100 percent Cuban,” said Iglesias. “I felt it made sense to be an American citizen because it is the country I live in and has given me so much but I am definitely still Cuban.”
One of our mutual qualities and identities as Latinos is our country pride, our orgullo for our homeland or our parents and grandparents’ birthplace. That being said, who would they play with in the World Baseball Classic should they have to choose between both squads?
Iglesias paused, put his head down and sat silently before telling me it was a very good but difficult question.
“My number one priority is Cuba and the team I would want to play for is Cuba,” said Iglesias. “That is my country, I am from Cuba and I will always be Cuban but if that option wasn’t available to me for the rest of my career in the majors I would definitely consider playing for the U.S., but I’d prefer playing for Cuba.”
Martín’s heart is also in Cuba but he would consider wearing the red, white and blue of his adopted nation.
“I’m an American citizen so yeah, I’d play with them,” said Martín. “But I would only play for the U.S. if the Cuban team didn’t let me play with them. Cuba would be my first choice. I have to represent my birth country. It’s a big dream for me to represent Cuba. I haven’t played for Cuba while in the majors.”
It was energizing to hear the gratitude they had to be able to live out their dream and play baseball in the big leagues, and, as Cubans, have the privilege of becoming American citizens. Perhaps most gratifying was making sure they did not forget where they came from.
“I’m very proud to be Cuban and thankful to be Cuban,” Martín said. “No one will ever take my Cuban and Latino pride away from me. I’m very proud to raise my children in the U.S. and they will always have their Latino values even though they were born here and I will make sure they don’t forget their roots. I am one hundred percent Cuban. Nobody will ever take the my pride I have for Cuba from my heart.”
Featured Image: Mike Mulholland twitter
Inset Image: Duane Burleson / Getty Images Sport