Arizona

In their own words, new U.S. citizens in Arizona look to voting in 2024

Published

2 years ago

January 2, 2024

In their own words, new U.S. citizens in Arizona look to voting in 2024

It was a very proud moment for Nilesh Patel.

“It’s the happiest day of my life,” he said, walking out of the Sandra Day O’Connor U.S. Courthouse in Phoenix earlier this month.

Patel, who emigrated from India nearly a decade ago, had just finished participating in a naturalization ceremony — officially making him an American citizen. And after the ceremony, down the hall from the courtroom, he was able to register to vote.

“[The] U.S. has given a lot to us,” said Patel’s wife, Hatel Patel, who is already a citizen. “I’ve been serving back, now he will get more chances as well.”

Grace Widyatmadja/NPR

And serving back, she says, means voting.

New Arizona voters like Nilesh Patel are registering in a state that next year has key congressional races and could play a crucial role in the presidential election. And many new voters see their eligibility to participate in elections as an impactful and exciting responsibility.

“One of our greatest rights, especially for new citizens, is the power to vote,” said Jeanette Senecal with the nonprofit League of Women Voters, which has reported registering nearly 48,000 new citizens to vote this year at naturalization ceremonies around the country.

In fiscal year 2022, nearly 1 million Americans became naturalized citizens, according to federal data — the highest level in 15 years.

“We want to see every eligible voter registered and turning out to vote,” Senecal said, adding, “It is really important to invite new voices in to ensure we have a representative democracy.”

But becoming a coveted voting bloc that political campaigns seek out is a different step.

“The [likelihood] of a campaign spending money to target [new citizens] and get them to vote is low,” said Arizona Democratic strategist Tony Valdovinos, who’s a recipient of the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

He told NPR it often takes years to go from being a registered voter to a reliable voter that campaigns target.

In their own words

NPR attended two recent naturalization ceremonies in Phoenix and spoke with new citizens and their families about what it means to them to be able to vote.

Grace Widyatmadja/NPR

Karen Perez

It’s hard to miss Karen Perez as she walks out of the courtroom wearing a sequined American flag dress.

“Can you see all the flag?” she joked.

Perez, who is from Venezuela, registered and plans to vote next year. When she thinks about issues that are top of mind, immigration is a priority.

“The treatment of immigrants, no matter what country they are from, Central America, Latin America, from the East,” she said in Spanish, “because sometimes some rights are very difficult.”

For Perez, voting is a duty as a U.S. citizen.

“It is deciding my destiny, and because I am now an American citizen, then it’s also the destiny of the nation,” she said. “You do select a president that could rebuild or create a better country for the United States. That’s why you have to vote because if you don’t vote, you can’t complain.”

Grace Widyatmadja/NPR

Adam Modzelewski

It was hard for Adam Modzelewski to contain his emotions when he finally received his certificate during the ceremony. Originally from Poland, he waited over 20 years to become a citizen.

“That’s why I had tears in my eyes,” he said, surrounded by his family.

He told NPR he’s eager to cast his ballot next year.

“I’m hoping finally people [are] going to wake up and start looking somewhere else than [the] Democrat[ic] Party. They [are] not helping nobody,” he said.

He’s disappointed with President Biden’s first term and plans to focus on the Republican candidates and see how the primary field progresses.

“I hope we can make a change,” he said.

Grace Widyatmadja/NPR

Olga Aguerra

Olga Aguerra hadn’t yet taken her citizenship test when she decided to buy a ‘USA’ T-shirt at a clothing store.

“I bought it regardless of if I passed or not,” she told NPR in Spanish outside the courthouse. “But now I’ll wear it because I’m proud to live in this country and to be a part of this country.”

Aguerra registered to vote that day. At 53, she’s spent more of her life in the U.S. than in her home country of Mexico.

Thinking about next year, she believes her vote can make an impact. “It’s a little grain of sand within many, many people,” Aguerra said, adding, “You can make a difference.”

“We told her right away … to go register,” said her younger sister, Nancy Tafolla, who became a citizen as a child. “We all live here, and I feel like we all have a voice.”

Grace Widyatmadja/NPR

Brayan Vazquez

For new citizen Brayan Vazquez, thinking about elections isn’t new.

“As a former not only immigrant but undocumented person in the United States, politics have been, you know, overall something that you cannot avoid,” said Vazquez.

Now, registering to vote is a priority for him.

“I think now, for many years, we say, ‘be my vote,’ telling friends and relatives, vote for my interests,” he said. “Now I get the opportunity to really vote for my own interests.”

NPR’s Ximena Bustillo contributed to this report.

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Arizona

A guide to Spring Breaking in Arizona’s High Country

Published

6 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

A guide to Spring Breaking in Arizona’s High Country

FLAGSTAFF (AZFamily) — Spring break is here in Arizona for public universities and lots of high schools. Students and families are taking advantage of the week off and the nice but unseasonably warm temperatures across the state.

The High Country offers slightly cooler temperatures than in the valley and access to hiking, skiing, and national parks.

Flagstaff sits at 7,000 ft, tucked into the pine trees with expansive mountain views.

The weather this time of year is usually a gamble for spring breakers, but Ryan Randazzo with Discover Flagstaff said recent storms have left some snow on the peaks and great temperatures in town.

“It hasn’t been the snowiest winter, but we still have more than 40 inches of a base at Arizona Snow Bowl,” Randazzo said. “So it’s a great time to get up there and enjoy some sunny days on the slopes, and the weather here is just perfect. It’s still about 20 degrees cooler than Metro Phoenix and Tucson.”

He said the above-average temperatures make it perfect for outdoor adventure junkies.

“A little unusual for this time of year, but our trails are mostly open and snow-free at the lower elevation,” Randazzo said.

For those who want a more relaxing retreat there is plenty of shopping and local spots to eat at.

“In addition to our 200 restaurants, we’ve got 8 award-winning craft breweries,” Randazzo said. “And this time of year, with our unseasonably warm weather, is actually a pretty nice time to be out on the patio here in Flagstaff.”

Flagstaff is also a two hour drive or less from 9 national parks and monuments. The Grand Canyon is the most popular one, but for those looking to skip the lines, national monuments like Walnut Canyon are the way to go.

Alex Stork was visiting from Michigan and said you don’t get views like this in the Midwest.

“There’s nothing as high as this,” Stork said. “It’s beautiful out here. Easy, simple, I actually got a lifetime pass today.”

Outside of Flagstaff, people can hike in Sedona and then visit a spa. You could walk down classic Route 66 in Williams before stopping at Bearizona. Plus, for those don’t mind an easy two hour drive, they can hit Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, and Horseshoe Bend all in one day up in Page.

“You can’t beat Northern Arizona,” Stork said.

More information on actives to do in and around Flagstaff can be found at Discover Flagstaff’s website.

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Arizona

Arizona baseball falls to ASU in midweek nonconference game

Published

18 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Arizona baseball falls to ASU in midweek nonconference game

TEMPE – The Phoenix metro has not been kind to Arizona baseball through the first month of the season.

Arizona fell to rival ASU 10-4 on Tuesday night in front of a packed crowd at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The Wildcats clawed back after falling behind 6-1, but the Sun Devils closed the door in the late innings.

The nonconference game was the first of five matchups between the rivals, with the UA hosting a 3-game Big 12 Conference series in early April followed by one more non-league game in Tempe.

Arizona (6-10) is now 0-4 in the Phoenix area, with three losses coming in the opening weekend College Baseball Series in Surprise. Arizona dropped to 0-3 in midweek games.

Collin McKinney got the start for the Wildcats, allowing four earned runs on five hits and six strikeouts. McKinney conceded one run in the first inning but escaped out of a bases loaded jam. He looked sharp until giving up a 2-run homer to ASU’s Dean Toigo in the fourth inning.

“We saw the velocity at times. We saw the breaking stuff,” Arizona coach Chip Hale said. “It was very encouraging from us on our side for him.“

The Sun Devils tacked on three more runs in the fourth, including a 2-run blast from Landon Hairston off reliever Matthew Martinez.

Arizona answered in the sixth inning when sophomore catcher Roman Meyers drilled a 450-feet 3-run homer to bring the score to 6-4. It was Meyers’ third homer of the season.

“He always has a chance. He’s got massive power,” Hale said. “So if he hits it he has a chance for a home run.”

Arizona’s five through nine hitters combined for six of the team’s eight hits, led by 2-hit games from Caleb Danzeisen and Cash Brennan.

Arizona’s offense, however, couldn’t keep up with the Sun Devils, who added runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to pull away. Wildcats pitchers gave up eight free bases on the night.

Arizona is back in action Friday when it begins Big 12 play at Utah. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST.

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Arizona

WATCH: How Helping One Woman provides hope and support with ‘Girl’s Night Out’

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

WATCH: How Helping One Woman provides hope and support with ‘Girl’s Night Out’

PEORIA, AZ — What if a simple dinner could help someone rebuild their life? In Peoria, a local chapter of Helping One Woman is doing just that by gathering once a month for a “Girls Night Out” with a powerful purpose.

Each month, women in the community nominate someone facing an unimaginable challenge: the loss of a spouse or child, a cancer diagnosis, or another life-altering hardship. That woman becomes the evening’s honoree.

At the dinner, attendees each contribute at least $10 and take part in raffles supported by local businesses. By the end of the night, the funds raised are gifted directly to the recipient to help with expenses during a difficult time.

But organizers say the money is only part of the impact. The room full of encouragement, hugs, and shared support can be just as powerful.

ABC15’s Cameron Polom talked with the Peoria chapter president and two women whose lives were changed thanks to the group’s generosity. See the full Uplifting Arizona story in the video player above.

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