Former ICE agent holding citizenship classes

By PETE BANDA
Special to the NEWS

For nearly 50 years, John Garcia has been searching for ways to serve his community. The Chicago native signed up for the Army at 18 years old and spent the next 22 years in the service.

After a six year stint with the El Paso Police Department, Garcia went on to work as a deportation officer with ICE for nearly 22 years.

According to Garcia, the experience of deporting close to 2,000 immigrants in his career has led him to his next endeavor – helping immigrants become United States Citizens.

Currently, Garcia hosts a free Citizenship class at the San Benito Public Library. While the Covid-19 Pandemic has forced the classes to switch to Zoom this year, Garcia helped seven people graduate to citizenship status last year.

“Knowing that you helped changed somebody’s life is such an awesome experience,” said Garcia. “It takes a lot of work and it is a long process, but the payoff is more than worth it.”

Garcia says the class is a six-month program designed to help individuals take the Citizenship test.
Although the former ICE agent just started the free classes last year, his intention is creating a permanent business in San Benito to help anyone who wants become a United States Citizen year round.

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