Part 2
THE LAST HOURS
My last hours as a permanent resident, were mixed with emotions. On one hand I was very happy to finally reach this point, but on the other hand there was a strange feeling about having to give up my Green Card and current status for a new and better one. My final interaction with CIS officer added another emotion: that of Paranoia.
When I answered the Officer that I have received two tickets, she gave me back my Green Card, and reached below her to pick up another form. When new forms get involved, I get paranoid. While she was writing on the form, my head was running at the speed of light thinking about different outcomes, and what I can do. Finally I couldn’t hold it and I said: “IS THERE A PROBLEM OFFICER?” in a very relaxed manner she replied: “No, just a supervisor have to approve this now.” So I told myself: This is just great…I don’t believe this. People behind me are being seated, and I, I have to talk to a supervisor, what an Omen. I went to line 10 to see the supervisor who was looking angry. He was already dealing with two people and making phone calls to check their cases up. He asked them to move to the side, and asked me to approach him. I came to him with the widest smile I ever put on my face. My face muscles still hurt from that smile. I greeted him asking: How are you Sir? He replied: FINE! What is the problem here? I explain the issue, and every time I said something he said: “YOU WERE DRIVING WITHOUT A SEATBELT?” YOU DID THIS, YOU DID THAT…I told him it was all taken care of, here are the court orders. He made it feel like I was in trial. Finally, he just stopped talking and kept reading the paper for like two minutes. Just imagine how I felt during those two minutes. It was like being in front of some Middle-Ages King who will say: Cut this guy’s head, OR let him live.
FINALLY, FINALLY, he said: Can I keep these copies…I said: Fuck YEAH MAN. Well these Were not really my exact words, but you get the point.
I said: “Yes.” He said, ok, just go back to your officer and she will take care of you. I went back dragging my feet. I was so exhausted at that point. Now did the officer quickly process the form? Of course NOT. CIS made a decision a long time ago, they said we will make poor Publicus pay heavily for his citizenship before we are going to give it to him. When I went back to the original officer, she couldn’t understand what the supervisor did. It took her another minute to understand what he really did. And FINALLY she took away my Green Card.
THE BIG MOMENT
The Judge came to the convention center at 3 PM. Then the Big room changed to a Courtroom, and we all stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States. Thereafter a lady recited the Star Spangled Banner, and in the end the Judge asked a representative of the government to make their motion. The agent told the Judge: Your Honor the government processed 499 applications and besides the 26 absent
people and the few who had to be continued, we move the Court to administer the Oath of allegiance. The Judge Granted the motion and ask us to stand, raise our right hands and say the Pledge of Allegiance. The Judge’s voice was solemn and powerful. And we became U.S. Citizens. The Judge after that gave a beautiful speech about Citizenship and the Great prosperous future of the United States, then left. The whole process was extremely formal.
LAST WORDS
In the end, we had to go back to our lines to give them back the oath letter and receive the Naturalization Certificate. I was still worried as I wanted to make sure there were NO MISTAKES made about my name and personal info. And indeed, it was perfect. I received my Certificate, signed it and can now declare that my Journey toward U.S. Citizenship is officially over. In the evening I celebrated by smoking a cigar and drinking a nice cold Corona beer (heavy on the lime).
I spent the whole day and night with my Certificate. It did not leave my sight. In the morning, I filed for a United States Passport via expedited processing, two ways overnight.
My Journey took some 1225 days (over three years and three months). It was an amazing one. The secret to my success were two things: (1) I never doubted the fact that I would win, and (2) I always considered myself an American. With or without a Citizenship, it was my thinking as a Citizen that got me through this ordeal. My advice to everyone out there is: Have a passion and pursue it with all your heart. If your passion to become a U.S. Citizen is strong, then keep it alive. NEVER GIVE UP. Try many things. Since my interview in February 2005, I tried one thing everyday. Sometimes I just call the 800 number. But at least I do something. More importantly, don’t listen to the people who put you down and make you just wait. The system works. It may be slow but it works. I have well-documented my journey on this forum. I am indeed the proof of how successful a Pro Se applicant can be. You guys can do this. If you are sitting at home waiting for an oath letter, or for your name check to be cleared, then you should get up and take action. The feeling of victory is so sweet. There is nothing like it.
DEDICATION
There are some people that I’d like to thank. I dedicate this victory to some abstract people not directly associated with our forum, in this I nominate Aurora, and Lamine Zeroual whom I learned a lot from. The Assistant United States Attorney, who was a very professional woman. The Founding Fathers, whose legacy and genius creation of the system of checks and balances lives on, The American people who recognized the greatness of this creation and knew how to protect it, the District Court who allowed me to bring suit, its employees, who answered many of my questions, the U.S. Senate who allowed a provision such as 8 USC 1447 (b) to exist. From this forum I’d like to thank: Rahul Kumar whose story really inspired me, Sony, my buddy in combat, Vulpasin, with his great wittiness, (I wish you both good luck), tsa3400, Jenimmi, ocworker, dw2005, wafr, slowjedi, Manyung, homeschoolmum and her sweet and warm words to me in times of despair, gegemon.
Those who are still waiting on their citizenship, I wish you the best, and in here I have in mind: Simone, Bashar, Needsolution, Anahit’s husband, zaraza's husband, and many others. I know the list is long, and I am trying to remember everybody’s name. Forgive me if I did not post your name here but I will do so later.
Good luck guys, your day will come: LOOK AT ME.
I MADE IT…I MADE IT…I MADE IT.
YES, it is a great feeling. The Best in the World.