WLPLS held a homecoming celebration for our very own Jonatan O Carrillo Gamez (Jonatan Carrillo) as he obtained his American Citizenship on Wednesday, February 12th.
Jonatan was born in Venezuela and grew up hearing stories of the US from his parents and elders. He greatly loves American music, art, and culture and has always dreamed of making the United States his home.
Jonatan has always been very hard-working, studying Marketing at IUTAV in Venezuela, Revit (BIM & Design) at Arts Institute Panama, and Architecture at UIP in Panama.
Jonatan began his career in Venezuela as a draftsman, then obtained employment as an Architectural Drafter in Panama. After Seven years in Panama, he was offered employment as a Revit Technician at a Pittsburgh Firm, which eventually led him to WL Port-Land Systems, Inc.
This is what Jonatan had to say about his citizenship journey:
What is the driving force behind your wanting to be a Citizen?
After spending years as a citizen of nowhere and perfecting the art of answering awkward immigration questions, I figured it was time to finally belong somewhere! Growing up, I admired the U.S. from afar, and now that I live here, I can confirm it wasn’t just the movies—it really is the land of opportunity. Plus, let’s be honest, the idea of not having to renew visas or deal with endless paperwork was pretty appealing. But in all seriousness, becoming a U.S. citizen is a dream come true, and I truly believe God paved the way for this to happen. Now, if only citizenship came with a free coffee every morning—then it would be perfect!
What are you most thankful for?
I’m most thankful for the chance to provide stability for my family and build a future without uncertainty. Becoming a U.S. citizen means I can fully embrace this new chapter, both personally and professionally. I’m also incredibly grateful for my amazing work family—especially since they threw me a celebration, so now I really can’t leave! Above all, I believe God made this possible, and I couldn’t be more thankful.
What do you feel is your biggest achievement?
I think that building a stable life for my family and becoming a U.S. citizen is something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s proof that patience, perseverance, and faith can take you far!