Rigoberto’s Citizenship Story

“I was about 8 years old when I traveled to this country alone from El Salvador. Going through that journey on my own was hard, and at times, traumatizing. I was scared, confused, and isolated as I entered the U.S. and reached New York where I was finally reunited with my mother. Leaving your country, your family, and everything you know behind is an experience that is hard for many people to fully comprehend. However, those memories of my trip here, some good but many hard, are reminders for me to keep going. It’s important for me to always remember why I’m in this country and why I work hard to make a life worth living.  

Working as an insurance broker, I have dedicated myself to helping others. I have a lot of empathy for people and I know that in a world full of people who may not care, I can help make a difference in someone’s life. Especially for people who may feel stuck in their lifestyle, like I once did, I can help them find a way out and guide them in building a better future. I believe my history as an immigrant really taught me that there are a lot of people out there who are willing to help. In a way, the world has been my therapy. 

I learned about Project Citizenship through friends and family. Everyone working at the office in Boston helped make applying super simple. They were super helpful and I was able to go through the whole process with everything being very clear and informative. Since I have been in the U.S. for most my life and this country has given me everything, I’m happy to be an American citizen and I look forward to being able to travel in the future.”

–Rigoberto, El Salvador

Attended Project Citizenship’s 2021 Virtual Citizenship Center & Naturalized in January 2026