---
title: Legal assistant becomes US citizen
description: Legal assistant Valeria Santoyo celebrates becoming a U.S. citizen, marking a significant milestone in her career at DeMine Immigration Law Firm.
image: https://blog.demineimmigration.com/hubfs/Partners%20in%20-%202.jpeg
---

![](https://blog.demineimmigration.com/hubfs/Partners%20in%20-%202.jpeg)

# Legal assistant becomes US citizen

![Kate McCartney](https://blog.demineimmigration.com/hubfs/Brown%20and%20Light%20Brown%2c%20Circle%20Framed%20Instagram%20Profile%20Picture.png)

[Kate McCartney   
 February 21, 2025 ](https://blog.demineimmigration.com/en/blog/author/kate-mccartney)

- 2 mins

*Valeria Santoyo passes U.S. citizenship exam*

        FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 21, 2025) – On Jan. 31, 2025, Valeria Santoyo, legal assistant at DeMine Immigration Law Firm, passed her U.S. citizenship exam which established her eligibility for naturalization. This is the final step in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen.

     Santoyo was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico and lived there until 2019, when her family decided to move to the U.S. in search of greater opportunity. She gained the status of a legal permanent resident in February 2019 and started living in the U.S. in July 2019. 

     After living in the U.S. for five years, Santoyo applied for citizenship in March 2024. She took and passed her citizenship exam, which includes an English, U.S. history and government test, on Jan. 31, 2025. 

      “I was very excited to apply for citizenship because the goal was to become a U.S. citizen and I really prepared for my citizenship exam,” said Santoyo. “I was really nervous, but I got my citizenship. I really like living in this country, so it was a pretty exciting next step for my life here in the U.S,” 

      Santoyo’s move to the U.S. eventually led her to DeMine Immigration Law Firm, where she works as a legal assistant. She has been able to help her clients gain legal status since she joined the firm in 2024, as she worked to gain her own.

     “This is going to help me in my personal life and at work as well because now I am going to be able to better prepare clients for their preps, now that I have been through it,” said Santoyo. 

     This is just the start for Santoyo’s career in the legal field, as she has future aspirations to attend law school. She is currently enrolled in Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, pursuing a dual bachelor’s degree in political science and legal studies. 

 

**About DeMine Immigration Law Firm**     

DeMine Immigration Law Firm is a privately-held immigration law firm that practices all areas of immigration law and serves clients worldwide. The company has two offices based in Southwest Florida, one at 1601 Hendry St. in Fort Myers and one at 1400 E Kimdale St. E Suite 8 in Lehigh Acres. DeMine Immigration Law Firm employs 15 people under President Indera DeMine. The company’s mission statement is to help clients achieve their American dream. For more information, visit [www.DeMineImmigration.com](http://www.demineimmigrationlawfirm.com/), follow on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok or call 239-208-2680. 

###

** **

**CONTACT:** 

Kate McCartney

In-House Marketing Coordinator                                                          

402-499-3776

kate@demineimmigration.com

![Kate McCartney](https://blog.demineimmigration.com/hubfs/Brown%20and%20Light%20Brown%2c%20Circle%20Framed%20Instagram%20Profile%20Picture.png)

### Kate McCartney

Kate McCartney is the In-House Marketing Coordinator at DeMine Immigration Law Firm. She manages the website, blog, newsletter, and social media accounts.

<https://blog.demineimmigration.com/en/blog/author/kate-mccartney>

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