It’s a story out of a movie.

Alexandra Pena waited years to become a U.S. citizen, but after nine months her baby boy was ready to become one too.

  • Manatee Co. woman gave birth on the same day she was supposed to give her oath to become an American citizen
  • So, she took her Oath while she was in labor
  • She, and her newborn son, became US citizens on the very same day.

"If you could try to plan that thing, you just cannot," said father Ivan Pena.

Born in Colombia, Alexandra actually grew up in Manatee County. After returning to Columbia for a few years she decided it was time to come back.

"But I had to wait five years. So it wasn’t something that happened one day to another, so it was a long wait," said Alexandra.

After five long years of waiting Alexandra got the call she was going to become a U.S. citizen.

"We were on our way there and were like in the middle of traffic and everything, and I start having the pain," Alexandra said.

Alexandra was going into labor.

“We were in the middle of the road, and I’m like I’m not coming back. I have to do my oath."

Determined to say the least, Alexandra made it.

"He’s like repeat after me, you know, he said the oath and I’m like 'I can’t, I can’t,' and he’s like, 'OK, let’s just do it, let's just do it. Then he just said it all the oath and everything and then at the end I was like, 'I do,'" Alexandra said. 


Alexandra Pena and her son, Nicolas, have different certificates but matching dates.

Just like that they were off. The family welcomed Nicolas to the world hours later.

"The fact that he's here, that he's also an American, because he was born here, so it's perfect. It’s perfect," said Alexandra.

Mom and son have different certificates, with matching dates.