HispanicBusiness

Think you're too old to pursue your dreams? San Rafael, Calif., resident Roberto Borge, who will turn 85 this month, became a U.S. citizen in January after more than two decades in Marin.

"Even as a youngster I admired the United States," said Borge, speaking in Spanish. "I feel like I've achieved the American dream."

Borge came to Marin in 1989 from his native Nicaragua and worked for 10 years as a janitor before retiring.

Borge, a former member of the Nicaraguan military, opposed the revolutionary government that came to power in the Central American nation a decade earlier. He emigrated to the United States for political reasons.

Although Borge had been a legal resident for many years, he didn't apply for citizenship earlier because of financial constraints and fear he would fail the written test. But Borge said he decided to apply last year after a friend in his Alma Latina social group in Novato told him low-income residents could take the test without paying hefty fees.

After studying for two months, he took the test and passed. On Jan. 24, the father of six and grandfather of 11 became a citizen during a ceremony in Oakland.

"I thought that was pretty awesome for his age," said Denise Serpa, Borge's granddaughter and a Richmond resident. "His English isn't even that good. He was just so disciplined and studied.

"Honestly, I was like, 'Why is my grandpa bothering -- he's almost 85,'" Serpa said. "But at his age I think it's a big thing."

Only about 2 percent of people who became citizens in 2010 were over the age of 75, according to Department of Homeland Security data. Still, that 2 percent represented 12,489 new citizens, suggesting the phenomenon isn't terribly rare.

"Actually, 84 isn't that old to be naturalized," said Sharon Rummery, a spokeswoman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. "A couple of months ago in Chicago they naturalized a woman who was 101 years old."

Rummery noted that the citizenship test for applicants over age 65 has fewer questions than the standard version.

The standard test includes 100 questions ranging from "What are the three colors on the American flag?" to far more challenging queries about U.S. history and government, Rummery said.

Vicky Voicehowsky, a multicultural coordinator at Whistlestop, said Borge dropped by the San Rafael nonprofit to let members of his Corazon Latino social group know about his new citizenship status.

Asked whether she found it surprising that Borge had taken the citizenship test in his 80s, Voicehowsky replied, "No, not from him. He's actually really active.

"He always goes on walks, really long walks, too ... and stops here and says, 'hi,'" she said.

Borge, who has a poster of all the U.S. presidents on his wall, said he's most excited about participating in the election this year.

"I've already registered to vote," he said.