Wait's over — 207 become citizens

Ecuador immigrant Janet Salas waited 18 months before receiving her certificate of citizenship Thursday in a ceremony at a makeshift courtroom. Afterward, she had strong words for those who are in the United States illegally.

"We all have the same opportunity to become a citizen," Salas said in an interview. "You just have to wait patiently."

Salas, 21, was one of 207 immigrants representing 57 nationalities who became U.S. citizens in a ceremony at a standing-room-only Rose Wagner Theater in Salt Lake City.

Salas figured the quickest way toward achieving the "American dream" was to join the military. As a legal resident, the Massachusetts resident was allowed to join the Air Force, and she is now an airman 1st class stationed at Hill Air Force Base near Ogden.

Salas said the Air Force has given her a home, food, a steady paycheck and peace of mind, confident she would not be kicked out of this country while in the military.

But immigrants who are in this country illegally and who don't pay taxes should be sent home, according to Salas.

"If you're not here to help this country, then maybe you shouldn't be here at all," she said.

Kris Beam, whose wife, Rosa Beam, became a citizen Thursday, said giving people here illegally the chance to become citizens would help the country's economy. These are immigrants, he added, who are having children whose future tax contributions could help save an ailing Social Security program.

"She has more rights as a citizen," Beam added about his wife. "As a citizen you can make a bigger difference than being a resident."

Rosa Beam, 33, is a stay-at-home mother of a son, 4, and daughter, 2, in West Jordan. She met her husband 10 years ago, and they've been married for nine years, but before that she was living in Puebla, Mexico, where she lived in extreme poverty.

Beam said she has since studied hard and conquered her fear of taking the citizenship test.

"I believe everybody deserves a chance," she said. "This is a country made up of immigrants. . . . We all came here to look for a better life."

When their children are older, the Beams said they want to take them to Puebla so they can appreciate and see first-hand the difference between life here and the kind of living conditions their mother left behind.