Abraham Luna is one of four naturalized citizens among the 31 cadets who will graduate from the Albuquerque Police Academy in December. For Luna, 34, it’s a life-long dream come true for the Mexico native.
"I respect what they do and the job, the challenges they face every day, and what they do for the community. It's what really drives me and encourages me to give it a shot," Luna told KOAT.
Luna was accepted into the academy after passing all tests and requirements to obtain his American Citizenship last February. It was the culmination of a process he began months earlier. “I got my green card,” Luna told KOAT. “After my green card, I had to wait a certain time to be able to apply for my citizenship.”
He called taking the citizenship test “nerve-wracking,” but was able to pass. “I didn't know what to expect," he told KOAT. "I went over some material and once I was able to sit down and calm myself down and start the test, it was like doing a test when I was in college back again."
Luna has a wife and children and considers Albuquerque his home. He hopes to have a long career. “It feels right to stay here where I actually have memories and I have created a future,” he told KOAT. “The rewarding feeling of helping even a neighbor, it's amazing.”
Achieving dreams is also rewarding. "If there is something you really want to do, there are ways to approach that and you can make it happen," Luna told KOAT. “If you apply yourself, if you commit yourself to it, you can accomplish those goals. You can make a difference."
