BORDER TRUTHS - Naturalization
Naturalization
NATURALIZATION
The naturalization process is a powerful experience for hundreds of thousands of individuals that become United States citizens annually.
There should be a serious discussion on the annual number and type of legal immigrants allowed into our nation. That being said, I want to write about the beauty, meaning, and significance of becoming a United States citizen to these legal immigrants. Reading and watching their testimonies of the importance of U.S. citizenship makes me feel hope for our nation and it reminds me that I am so fortunate to have been born in America, and that by birth, I inherited freedoms and opportunities denied much of the world.
Testimonies:
Immaculee Ilibagiza from Rwandan: "Who would know that this fantasy would finally happen." HERE
Angela Masajo from the Philippines: “I do feel great about having a voice and being able to vote during elections. I’m ECSTATIC. I’m finally able to vote in the next election because I was one week shy of the midterms election.” HERE
Gonzalo Schwarz from Uruguay: “If being born here is like suddenly winning the lottery, becoming a naturalized citizen is like slowly and steadily reaching financial independence. The United States has been such a source of inspiration for immigrants that we hope to create our own lottery by working to become citizens and embodying the appreciation for everything that is good about America — sometimes even more so than locals.” HERE
Bob Karwal from Canada: “We love this country. We are here, our children are here, our roots are here. This is a land of great opportunity.” HERE
Andrew Ogot from Kenya: “As long as you work hard, you can become anything here.” HERE
Here are two of my favorite quotes because they are the most truthful and spot on. It is from a refugee from Iran via Pakistan. Her story is fascinating, and it can be found on PragerU. I linked it HERE.
Dr. Sheila Nazarian from Iran: “I find it really interesting that the people that are the most passionate about America are immigrants. It’s like the people that live here are so ungrateful because they don’t know the alternative.”
On her unbelievable success, “I never felt like there was anything standing in my way in America.”
Dr. Nazarian is correct about the native citizen’s lack of appreciation for our great fortune of being American citizens. The freedoms we enjoy and the safety from theft and physical harm are taken for granted as if the rest of the world operates like the United States. The world is a dangerous and malicious place. America has her own problems, and we are perfect. However, we have the most freedoms, we have the most protection over an individual’s physical and intellectual property, and we live in a country that protects the rights of free speech and expression. I understand that what I just listed is under attack in our society today, but we still have those rights and protections, and it is our responsibility to persevere those God given rights.
The United States of America is the greatest place on earth because of our freedom, law and order, and opportunities for success. Every citizen of this great nation, native birth to newly naturalized, has an obligation to help preserve and foster the greatness of America.
In my post border patrol career, I often find myself visiting US Citizenship and Immigration Services offices and every once in a while I pop in on naturalization day. What a day it is! These people are ecstatic, grateful, and eager to contribute to the American dream. They went through the process legally. They earned it. They did everything right. They all fly flags and sing the national anthem, many with tears coming down their faces. They often stop and askme to take pictures of them. I love those visits to USCIS. We have never been against legal immigration. We only oppose illegal immigration for all the reasons you speak about here, JJ