Feb. 19, 1999: After a very long wait for a visa to become available, we arrived at our new home in America.
Early 2001: We initiated the process of applying for permanent residency.
Sept. 11, 2011: I don't suppose this needs any explanation but basically all applications were put on hold or slowed down dramatically.
Oct. 2005: We are finally granted permanent residency.
Jan. 2009: I leave the country to study a Master's degree abroad, without applying for a Re-entry permit, meaning I can't be out of the country for longer than 6 months without forfeiting my green card.
June 2010: I struggle with immigration agents at LAX upon re-entry. I am taken for additional questioning and warned regarding the amount of time I have spent out of the country.
Feb. 2011: I submit my application for citizenship in California along with the $685 application fee (which is non-refundable if, for some reason, they decided to deny my application).
March 2011: I move from CA to NC for a great work opportunity.
Early July 2011: After already being fingerprinted, I am called into the Charlotte USCIS offices for my citizenship interview, which includes the infamous Citizenship Test (a joke, seriously). Although I pass with flying colours (anyone who paid attention in US History class would) I am requested to send in proof that I applied in California and asked for case to be moved to NC after that (there is a requirement that you have to be a resident in the state you apply in for 3 months prior to applying).
Early Aug. 2011: After a slight delay to process the extra paperwork and approve my application, I am summoned (basically) to appear at the oath ceremony in the courthouses in Greensboro on August 19th at 12:30pm.
Aug. 19, 2011: My mom, sister and I head for the courthouse in downtown Greensboro, hoping to get there a bit earlier to find parking and our way to the correct room. A line of people snakes out the courthouse doorway and down the steps. After what seemed an eternity and making our way through security, we arrive to find a packed courtroom and no one informing of what we should do. After a bit of confusion, I took my seat in the front and the others in the back. An official looking guy and his partner proceeded to call us up individually by rows (no names at this point) to hand in our green cards and sign a form. It took about 45 minutes to get through everyone. Once we're all nicely seated again, the same guy starts rearranging us, clearly not in alphabetical order, nor by country, nor colour. Where the order came from, I will never know. This took another 20 or so minutes. Once we are all seated, again, in our new positions, he mutters to his partner "We have about 25 minutes?" At this point I am praying to God that that means everything will be over in 25 minutes. But boy was I wrong. Based on my sister's experience in Charlotte that took about an hour from start to finish, I hadn't eaten breakfast (I woke up late) or lunch, expecting to be able to go eat around 2pm with my family in celebration. So at this point I am cranky and about ready to fall over from hunger. Said official goes into a question and answer session: "Now that you are citizens (not yet buddy) what can you do?" Really... do we have to go through this NOW? I already read the handbook! Finally at about 2:05pm (late, of course) the clerk of court comes in and announces the judge: "Oye, Oye, Oye, all rise for the honorable Judge...." I'm not kidding. I burst out laughing... out loud. Anyway the ceremony itself lasted another 45 minutes or so and involved us standing up, raising our right hand, taking the oath to fight for America, renounce our former citizenship, etc., and finally them calling us up INDIVIDUALLY to confer our citizenship certificates. One after another we were asked to state our names and were we were from. And then we were given a little flag to wave proudly and the same court clerk announced the Judge's departure. Finally, it was over. Now let's go eat!
Overall it wasn't an unpleasant experience, just a long one. I was looking forward to a short and sweet ceremony and good food with family and friends afterwards, but it turned out to be quite the opposite (although the food we ate was quite notable). The experience was even anti-climatic. Although I never had or have any intention of going back to live in South Africa, I felt like a traitor, abandoning my country of birth for a better, more progressive one. There really wasn't any excitement leading up to the day either, it just felt like another step I had to take to make my future goals and plans possible, after all, when it really comes down to it I've considered America my home for years now, even lumping myself in with Americans when I say, "In America we...."
Now though, I am officially American, and when my friends from Barva, Costa Rica call me "Gringa" (American) I can't argue and say I'm not (which just fueled the nickname more). Also, I just applied for my American passport, one which will make traveling to just about any country in the world that much easier. Who knows, maybe now I'll even take another stab at Panama! (That is a different story all together, for anyone that is interested in hearing it, let me know).
Oh I know the Panama story!!! haha. Well I think it's sad too in a way, people often leave behind their real homes, their culture (not totally but in a way), a piece of themselves for better opportunities. Why cant they find the same happiness and peace and security at home? Where their hearts belong. In any case, congrats!!! Makes me feel REAL great about my new Latino bf who will probably have 20394839 hoops to jump through in order to be here.lol
ReplyDeletehaha you and me both! I guess the good thing is that I can sympathize with them. When frustration flies high with USCIS I can honestly say, yep, been there, threw that. :-) One day we'll look back on this whole adventure and smile because it will all be totally worth it!
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