naturalized us citizen interview

[sky7 0]

Hello, my name is Sky and I'm a college student looking for a volunteer who has gone through the naturalizing process of becoming an US citizen.

I'm writing a short essay on what its like to become a US citizen.

If you would like to share your story,please answer the following questions in a single reply post.

!) What country are you from,are you a man or woman,and what age were you when you became a US citizen?

2) How long ago did you become a US citizen,and why did you want to be a US citizen?

3) How did you feel the day you became a US citizen?

4) How do you feel now?

5) How has it changed your life?

6) What does it mean to you now being a US citizen?

Share as much or as little as you feel, and any responses are greatly appreciated. After Ive finished the essay I will post it.

Thank you for any replies!!!

Sincerly ,

Sky

Poly-sci studet

[Kathryn41 3,205]

First, I am going to move this topic to the US Citizenship Discussion forum as a more useful location for this discussion than the Moving Here and Your New Life in America forum

and second, respond on my own behalf

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello, my name is Sky and I'm a college student looking for a volunteer who has gone through the naturalizing process of becoming an US citizen.

I'm writing a short essay on what its like to become a US citizen.

If you would like to share your story,please answer the following questions in a single reply post.

!) What country are you from,are you a man or woman,and what age were you when you became a US citizen?

Canada, female, 54 years old

2) How long ago did you become a US citizen,and why did you want to be a US citizen?

2009. Several reasons - I believe in participating in the community in which I live and I wanted to have a vote and have a say; it would be financially safer for me if something happened to my husband; I believe in what America used to stand for - not so much for what it is today, however - and my birth country recognizes dual citizenship so I didn't have to give up my birthright and heritage - I could add to it by gaining a second home country.

3) How did you feel the day you became a US citizen?

Surprisingly moved to tears. The ceremony meant a lot to me and it was one I did not undertake lightly. There were lots of decisions that I had to make and circumstances I had to come to terms with about what it meant to be an American citizen in this day and age. I had to know it was a decision I could make responsibly and honestly and not just for convenience. It meant more to me than I anticipated, and I was proud to take my oath of allegiance that day with the nearly 200 other people from all around the world. I welcomed the sense of kinship we are shared, regardless of our backgrounds - it was part of what America really means and I saw it personified that day. I'm grateful to be a citizen. Driving around town the next day I felt an unexpected sense of belonging, that this now was truly my home and I wasn't just someone living here; I belonged here. This country was now mine and I felt a sense of ownership for it - the good and the bad.

4) How do you feel now?

Like I have the right to comment about the things I disagree with and see wrong and to participate in making what I believe are better choices for the future of the United States and other Americans; frustrated sometimes by how short-sighted many Americans are - and glad that I am now a fully participating citizen so I have the right to a voice. I would like my adopted country to become as good as my birth country - it's not there yet, but maybe in time, it will have the chance to grow up from being a 'cocky teenager to a more responsible adult'

5) How has it changed your life?

It is easier for me to travel back and forth between my two countries; I don't have to worry about jumping through all of the immigration 'hoops' and live in fear that if something isn't 'good' enough for them, my well-being will be compromised. Other than that, it hasn't really changed me or my life that I can see - although living in the US has definitely changed my life just from the totally different life style and culture.

6) What does it mean to you now being a US citizen?

That I belong here. That I have a voice. That I can participate in my community on an equal standing and do something to support it or effect changes at the Municipal, State and Federal levels. It gives me more power to control my life and my circumstances here. I get to vote and I do.

Share as much or as little as you feel, and any responses are greatly appreciated. After Ive finished the essay I will post it.

Thank you for any replies!!!

Sincerly ,

Sky

Poly-sci studet

Edited September 2, 2012 by Kathryn41

[NickD 203]

Wife and I, she the immigrant, spend our honeymoon feeling out USCIS forms, then the stress of getting that first conditional green card, then the stress of receiving that long delayed ten year card. Then the stress of address changes and not losing that overpriced card. With her US citizenship, with the USCIS a very strong point in our lives, all that ended.

Was also extra stress with her employer and the DMV when states started taking over immigration issues when the federal government couldn't decide what to do with this issue. That certificate ended all that. For four years, she felt like an outsider in this country, certificate changed all that. My stepdaughter took two years longer for her to share the same experience.

She was born in Colombia, but naturalized in Venezuela, Venezuela was booming back then, that sure changed. We finally sold her apartment, but her main residence is still there. She is forced to maintain citizenship in Venezuela or her condo will be confiscated. But her son is still living there. I couldn't petition for him because he was over 21 at the time and need a place to live. She petitioned for him over five years ago, we are still waiting. If learning about the USCIS and DOS isn't bad enough, also had to learn about the NVC. Ironically, they let her visit her mom in Colombia with her Venezuelan passport, but that ended with her US Passport and the place of birth thing, different regulations between Venezuela or the USA with Colombia. She had to renew her Colombian citizenship and get a Colombian passport to visit her mom.

If the NVC ever comes through, we can finally break all ties with Venezuela, but in my experience, the USCIS is tame compared to the rudeness of the NVC. Even my senator is helpless with this agency. Best to keep quiet and wait. Keeping family together is not part of their vocabulary. One thing nice about Venezuela, very easy for us to send US dollars down there, but impossible to get that money back here. But she will always be stuck with Colombia because of no choice of hers, she was born there. Drunks at consulate parties decide that for us.

Major changes for my wife and stepdaughter was getting accustomed to living in a home without bars on the windows and going for walks at night without fear. They both love this country.

[sky7 0]

Thank you all for your replies. As soon as my essay is done I will post it.

I really appreciate all those that posted.

Sky