Luis Trigueros Torres, Jr.

Their Story

            Luis Trigueros Torres, Jr. was born on July 17, 1961, in Mexico to Luis and Consuelo Torres.^[1] During Luis Torres’ youth, the family moved North to Moline, Illinois, before naturalizing as United States citizens. Torres graduated from Moline High School, where he was a track and cross-country athlete. In 1981, Torres enlisted with the United States Marine Corps to serve the country in which he was raised.^[2]

            Torres was naturalized as a United States citizen during his service with the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton. His petition for citizenship was filed under section 329(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows individuals who have performed honorable service in the U.S. Armed Forces to qualify for citizenship.^[3]

Since the founding of the nation during the Revolutionary War, immigrants like Torres have contributed to the Armed Forces of the United States. Since WWI, the United States has recognized the service of non-citizens in the military as being worthy of citizenship:

Traditionally, there have been enormous incentives for foreign-born individuals to enlist. Major military programs began during WWI and WWII to expedite citizenship proceedings and naturalize immigrants who joined the military. In fact, military service has contributed to 760,000 immigrants gaining their citizenship in the last century. It’s a key motivator that provides our military valuable service members and gives Soldiers a chance to become a citizen in the country they’re serving.^[4]

Like those 760,000 immigrants, Torres provided honorable service to the country in which he was raised, and became a citizen of that country by doing so. His story and service are a modern example of the American Dream; showcasing the energy and drive that immigrants bring to America, and how our country’s institutions can recognize and honor that drive by offering them citizenship.

            Torres also served his country in a different way than many Marines. by representing his branch of service and country on the All-Marine Running Team. Drawing upon his high school track and cross-country experience, Torres competed in running events to represent the U.S. Marine Corps athletics. This group of runners operates in events around the world, and is a team in a looser sense than most other teams; its members may not ever meet each other due to diverse deployment locations. Despite this, there is a camaraderie surrounding the team and the honor they bring to the Marines.^[5] According to Torres’ obituary, he was particularly fond of the days he competed in races while wearing the Marine Corps singlet.^[6] Torres’ service as an  All-Marine runner gave honor to the United States Marine Corps in addition to his already meritorious service.

            Torres retired from the Marine Corps in 2004 after 23 years of honorable service. For his conduct, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He moved to Murrieta, California, and resided there for the remainder of his life. Luis Trigueros Torres, Jr. passed away on August 29, 2019. He was survived by his siblings Jose, Antonio, Alfredo, Camilo, and Guadalupe.^[7] His service leaves behind a legacy that showcases the virtues of the United States as a nation of immigrants, as well as the high standard of excellence of Marine Corps athletics.

^[1] “Luis T. Torres Jr.,” The Dispatch, September 7, 2019, p. A4. “Luis Trigueros Torres Jr.,” Find a Grave (Ancestry, September 18, 2019); “Luis Trigueros Torres Jr in the California, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1843-1999,” Ancestry (Ancestry, 2014).

^[2] “Luis T. Torres Jr.,” The Dispatch, September 7, 2019, p. A4.

^[3] “Luis Trigueros Torres Jr in the California, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1843-1999,” Ancestry (Ancestry, 2014),; “Chapter 3 – Military Service During Hostilities (INA 329),” USCIS, August 16, 2022.

^[4] Anton Schettini, “Things to Keep in Mind When It Comes to Military Naturalization,” Task & Purpose (Recurrent, August 20, 2021).

^[5] Vanessa Junkin, “U.S. All-Marine Running Team Represents Marine Corps at Home and Abroad,” Run Washington (Run Washington, July 29, 2019).

^[6] “Luis T. Torres Jr.,” The Dispatch, September 7, 2019, p. A4.

^[7] “Luis T. Torres Jr.,” The Dispatch, September 7, 2019, p. A4.