On Saturday, CBS Weekend News ran a report on one of American’s greatest traditions, naturalization ceremonies of new US citizens. But in their report, which covered the previous Thursday’s ceremony in Los Angeles, California, CBS spotlighted those looking to vote against Donald Trump. “As Carter Evans reports, there's actually been a surge in citizenship applications this year, partially driven by the desire to vote,” stated anchor Reena Ninan.
“For these new American citizens, you only have to see their faces and their joy to know what this day means,” reported Carter Evans, “But they'll also tell you of all of rights they now have, the one they cherish most is the right to vote.” But the only newly-naturalized citizens Evans talked to were those voting against Trump.
The first newly-naturalized citizen Evans’ report showed was Andrea Leon-Grossman from Mexico, who wore a red hat in the style of Trump’s famous hats which read “Immigrants Make America Great.” “I think the urgency is real, and this election is going-- is a game changer,” Leon-Grossman told the CBS reporter.
Evans noted that there was little love for Trump at the ceremony, saying, “Outside the convention hall, any mention of Donald Trump went something like this.” Evans then cut to newly-naturalized citizen Alfonzo Martinez who remarked, “I'm not going to allow somebody like this buffoon to take away my rights.”
In his report Evans showed a brief shot of Republicans holding a voter registration drive outside of the ceremony’s venue, but he never spoke to any pro-GOP immigrants. The only Republican Evans talked to was the husband of a newly-naturalized citizen who was voting for Hillary Clinton. “I guess it makes for some interesting conversations at the dinner table,” he joked with them.
Transcript below:
CBS
Weekend News
August 13, 2016
6:47:05 PM EasternREENA NINAN: Each year, the United States welcomes nearly 680,000 citizens at naturalization ceremonies. On Thursday 6,000 people from 145 countries become citizens at ceremonies in Los Angeles. As Carter Evans reports, there's actually been a surge in citizenship applications this year, partially driven by the desire to vote.
[Cuts to video]
CARTER EVANS: For these new American citizens, you only have to see their faces and their joy to know what this day means. But they'll also tell you of all of rights they now have, the one they cherish most is the right to vote.
[Clips of joyous people]
ANDREA LEON-GROSSMAN: [Wearing a red hat that reads “Immigrants Make America Great”] I think the urgency is real, and this election is going-- is a game changer.
EVANS: Andrea Leon-Grossman was born in Mexico, along with about half of the 3,000 new citizens at this ceremony in Los Angeles. Andrea came to the U.S. in 1993.
You've been doing everything that a U.S. citizen does for decades now?
LEON-GROSSMAN: Correct.
EVANS: Except for voting.
LEON-GROSSMAN: For 23 years I have been paying my taxes. I have been contributing to society and to my community. And I think it's really important that my voice is counted.
EVANS: Outside the convention hall, any mention of Donald Trump went something like this.
ALFONSO MARTINEZ: I'm not going to allow somebody like this buffoon to take away my rights.
EVANS: But for Alfonso Martinez, from Mexico, anger against Trump doesn't translate into passion for his opponent. Who are you voting for?
MARTINEZ: Reluctantly, I'm going to be voting for Hillary Clinton. I really wanted to vote for Bernie Sanders because he inspired me.
EVANS: Much of what Hillary Clinton says appeals to Lilly Simonetti, who was born in the Philippines. How important to you is this right to vote?
LILLY SIMONETTI: Very important. I think it's a very important part of being a citizen.
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EVANS: Lily's husband, Mark, backs Donald Trump. Are you going to try and persuade her to vote Republican?
MARK SIMONETTI: Absolutely.
EVANS: And I guess it makes for some interesting conversations at the dinner table.
M. SIMONETTI: Yes.
L. SIMONETTI: Oh yes, every day.
EVANS: Ultimately, for these newest Americans what matters most is that they can vote.
LEON-GROSSMAN: I think we matter, and I think this is what makes America great.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: So happy. I'm so proud.
EVANS: Carter Evans, CBS news, Los Angeles.
[H/T to reader John Campbell]
