President Barack Obama on Thursday appointed former Dodger pitcher-turned-broadcaster and newly minted U.S. citizen Fernando Valenzuela to a role as a Presidential Ambassador for Citizenship and Naturalization.
Valenzuela will work with the White House and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in promoting the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of citizenship among eligible lawful permanent residents and help the “Stand Stronger” campaign help break down barriers for eligible immigrants and refugees to become U.S. citizens.
“We congratulate one of the greatest Dodger icons, Fernando Valenzuela, on his White House appointment,” said Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten. “Fernandomania was a special time in Los Angeles and all across Major League Baseball. He is a great American and will serve our country well as an ambassador.”
Valenzuela joins such naturalized U.S. citizens as chef-restaurateur Jose Andres, actress Diane Guerrero and singer-songwriter Dave Matthews as citizenship ambassadors.
The national, multilingual public awareness campaign encourages lawful permanent residents who qualify for citizenship to learn more about the naturalization process so they can solidify their roots and tap into the opportunities that await new American citizens.
According to recent estimates, there are about 13.3 million legal permanent residents in the U.S., but only 8.8 million who are eligible to apply for citizenship.
Thirty-six years after first entering the U.S. and 25 years after his no- hitter at Dodger Stadium, Valenzuela took the Oath of Allegiance at a USCIS naturalization ceremony on July 22 to become a U.S. citizen.
Valenzuela, a native of Etchohuaquila in Sonora, Mexico, first moved to the U.S. in 1979 shortly after signing with the Dodgers.
