"Para votar — to vote." Voces de la Frontera sponsors citizenship classes.

Voces de la Frontera in Milwaukee, WI, has sponsored citizenship classes for more than a decade. Iin recent years, the desire to vote has become a significant factor in becoming a citizen. As one young student told me, "It is always important to vote. But now, it is more important.”

One a recent Wednesday, I took portraits of students at the citizenship class. Here are a selected few of the portraits. 

To see the complete PDF document on the class, click here.

Mari Gomez, Juan Jose Carlos Gomez Guerra.

Mari: Born in Mexico. Juan: Born in Guadalajara, Mexico. Both have lived in the United States for 42 years, in Milwaukee.

Samuel Gonzalez.

Born in Yahulica, Mexico.

Samuel and his wife Irma have lived in the United States for 50 years, 24 in Milwaukee.

Jesus Antonio Rocha Morales.

Born in Lazaro Cardenas Chihuahua, Mexico, Jesus has lived 24 years in the United States, in Milwaukee.

Erika M. Rodarte Botello.

Born in Zacatecas, Mexico she has lived 5 years in the United States, in Milwaukee.

Rafael Mora.

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Rafael has lived 31 years in the United States, in Milwaukee.

Maria Andrade.

Born in Silao Guanajuato, Mexico, she has lived 14 years in the United States, in Milwaukee.

Maria Aguila,

Born in Guadalajara Mexico, she has lived 17 years in the United States, in Milwaukee.