Outstanding Americans by Choice
The Outstanding Americans by Choice initiative recognizes the outstanding achievements of naturalized U.S. citizens. Through civic participation, professional achievement, and responsible citizenship, recipients of this honor have demonstrated their commitment to this country and to the common civic values that unite us as Americans.
USCIS will recognize naturalized citizens who have made significant contributions to both their community and their adopted country on a case-by-case basis.
Note: The following biographies have been provided by the ABC recipients.
2022
Manjusha P. Kulkarni (Manju) is the executive director of the AAPI Equity Alliance (AAPI Equity), a coalition of over 40 community-based organizations that serve and represent the 1.5 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Los Angeles County.
In 2018, Teresa Romero became the first Latina president of the United Farm Workers (UFW) and first immigrant woman to head a national labor union. She was born into a large family of Spanish and indigenous Zapotec ancestry in Mexico City and grew up in Guadalajara.
2021
Otto Padron is president and chief executive officer of Meruelo Media, the fastest growing minority-owned media company in California. Its broadcast portfolio holds some of the most legendary brands in the Los Angeles markets including the oldest independent Spanish language television station in the United States, KWHY-TV 22, along with the world-famous classic rock station KLOS 95.5 FM.
Albert Gamil Eskalis joined U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in 2014 and currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Citizenship and Applicant Information Services. Eskalis came to USCIS after a 26-year career as an active-duty Marine.
Major General (Retired) Viet Luong emigrated from Vietnam with his family to the United States in 1975 as a political refugee, upon the fall of Saigon. He received his commission as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer upon graduating from the University of Southern California in 1987, serving on active duty for the next 34 years until his recent retirement.
Sergeant Aquilino Gonell is an officer with the U.S. Capitol Police. On July 27, he testified before Congress about the events that took place on January 6 at the U.S. Capitol Building. In his emotional testimony before the House Select Committee, Sergeant Gonell joined three other officers in denouncing the attackers and detailing the violence they faced that day.
Nominated by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, the Honorable Rya Zobel became the first woman to be named to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, taking senior status in 2014.
Sandra Lindsay is the Director of Patient Care Services for Critical Care at Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center. She knows first-hand the health impacts COVID-19 has had on her patients.
Born and raised in a small village in Rwanda, Immaculée Ilibagiza enjoyed a peaceful childhood with her loving parents and three brothers. She attended the National University of Rwanda to study electrical and mechanical engineering. While visiting her family on Easter break in 1994, Ilibagiza’s life was completely transformed.
Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thang first joined Boat People SOS (BPSOS) in 1988 as a volunteer. In 1995 he launched an advocacy campaign that resulted in the resettlement of over 18,000 former boat people from Vietnam to the United States. In 1997, Dr. Thang initiated a long-term effort to build capacity for the Vietnamese American community.