safety
San Antonio firefighter among 48 people from 16 countries sworn in as new U.S. citizens
By Erica Hernandez, Misael Gomez at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 2, 2026
· 2 min read
A San Antonio firefighter lived in the United States since childhood officially became an American citizen Thursday, joining 47 others from 16 countries during a naturalization ceremony held ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.The moment marked the end of a years long journey for Kendell Ramlal, ...
Key takeaway ”Ramlal, who serves as a firefighter in San Antonio, said becoming a U.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The naturalization ceremony that welcomed a San Antonio firefighter as a new US citizen has significant implications for the local community. As a firefighter, Kendell Ramlal's commitment to serving the community is now formally recognized, and his experience highlights the importance of a stable and predictable immigration process for public safety personnel. The fact that Ramlal's path to citizenship was relatively smooth, despite taking years, underscores the need for local support systems to help others navigate the complex immigration court system. Immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch's comments on the unpredictability of obtaining a green card suggest that many immigrants in San Antonio may be facing similar challenges, and it is crucial for local leaders to advocate for reforms that streamline the process and provide more certainty for those seeking to become US citizens.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The San Antonio stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A San Antonio firefighter lived in the United States since childhood officially became an American citizen Thursday, joining 47 others from 16 countries during a naturalization ceremony held ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.The moment marked the end of a years long journey for Kendell Ramlal, ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Erica Hernandez, Misael Gomez at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter