As of 2017, one-fifth of the world’s migrants live in the United States. More than 43.7 million immigrants resided in the United States in 2016, making up about 13.5 percent of the total U.S. population. Since 2017, when President Trump took office, the administration has banned nationals of eight majority-Muslim countries from entering the United States; reduced refugee admission to the lowest level since the resettlement program was created in 1980; and cancelled the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, among other policy shifts.
This Fourth of July, we spoke to immigrants from Afghanistan, Cuba, Finland, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the Philippines about their journey to the US, the citizenship process, and what being American means to them.
Farhat Amiri Popalyar lives in Los Angeles, California. She moved from Afghanistan to Wisconsin when she was 14-years-old with her mother, two younger brothers, and two younger sisters. Her father, a former diplomat for the Afghan government, was already living in the United States. He was on a business trip to New York City when the Taliban overthrew the Afghan government. He couldn’t go home, and his family had to flee to Pakistan, where they lived for two years until they were able to join him in the United States.
Lázaro Moncada is from Cuba. He moved to the United States in 2008 when he was 35-years-old. He came to the country on a fiancé visa after meeting his now wife Rebecca in Havana while she was visiting on a preliminary research trip for her PhD. They live in Oakland.
Jennimaria Palomaki moved to Chicago from Finland when she was just a year and a half, but then moved back when she was five. Her family then moved to Florida in 1996, when she was 10, and eventually settled in Georgia. She has her Ph.D in linguistics and currently works in the tech sector and resides in Brooklyn.
Ekene Oranu came to the United States from Lagos, Nigeria when he was 10-years-old, in 2005. He’s currently in Pharmacy School in Los Angeles.
Ahmad Malik was 18-years-old when he moved to Michigan from Pakistan in 2009. He eventually attended university in Iowa and is now finishing medical school in Chicago.
Katherine Santos, a nurse who now works as Assistant Department Administrator for Staff Education and Development at Kaiser, moved to California from the Philippines when she was six-years-old.
These are their stories:
On Coming to the United States
Farhat–I was 14 when we came in 1999. Then 9/11 happened and so our case was delayed. We were supposed to get citizenship much more quickly, but it took a long time because of that. My dad had moved to Wisconsin, because his brother was there. He wasn’t planning to move to America. He was just on a business trip, but then all of a sudden the government he worked for was no longer in place. They were killing everyone. We moved to Pakistan and went back and forth between there and Afghanistan for awhile, then eventually we immigrated to Wisconsin. My mom basically became a single parent for two years. She had to learn how to deal with five kids on her own. Moving was not easy. We had no idea what to pack, what to bring, how to dress. And then of course my dad had no idea how to tell us girls how to dress in America.
I was so excited, because my dad had visited before and he had all these stories about America. We were also all really excited to see my dad and reunite again after almost two years. I got really nervous and scared when we started school. We didn’t speak any English, none of us. Even the ESL students were mostly kids that were born here and didn’t speak English at home, but still knew some.
I was 14, so they put me in 8th grade. I was only in ESL for six months or so. I literally had no idea what the hell was going on. At schools back home, when a teacher walks in, you all have to stand up. Here, people would laugh and throw stuff at teacher I was like “oh my god, what is going on?” It was a shock. I was homesick and at the beginning wasn’t happy. I was missing friends and what I was used to, but my dad would keep reminding me you’re lucky, you have to appreciate it. At that time, all the girls in Afghanistan had to stop going to school because of the Taliban. That motivated me to work twice as hard because I was here. I was the lucky one, so I was going to do whatever it took to learn the language.
It was really, really hard the first year, but when you’re forced and every single person speaks English and there’s not one person who speaks Farsi, you’re forced to learn 24/7. It took almost 2 years to get fluent. Luckily, 14 is still a young age where you can adapt easily, and your personality is just getting established.
Lázaro and Rebecca–There was a lot of paperwork and stuff. We had to show proof of our relationship, because they’re worried about people doing it fraudulently. We had been together for three years, and had spent 10 months in Cuba living together. There didn’t seem to be problems of them not believing us.
Jennimaria–When I was a year and a half, my family moved to the suburbs of Chicago, which is where I learned English. I remember the first day of not speaking english, in preschool. I remember the first day, but I don’t remember the second day of not speaking English, which shows how quickly kids adapt. A few years later when I was around five my family moved back to Finland and we stayed there until I was 10 or 11, then we moved to Florida, then Georgia when I was 12.
I never really directly asked my parents why we moved. The reasons seemed so complicated. When it was a salient question to ask I would have been too young, then when I was old enough I would have been too sensitive to how difficult it would be for them to answer. I think it was partly a desire for opportunities that weren’t available to them, or space to be something that maybe they couldn’t be in Finland at the time.
I was in some ways guarded from ways in which it was bureaucratically hard. But I think whether or not moving to America is hard is very much informed by where you’re from. I remember the parts that were materially hard. We came with very little. We sold everything before we left and came with five to six suitcases. We were pretty strapped financially as a family for the first couple of years and we all slept in one room on one mattress for the first two months.
A huge shout out to my parents. They were the ones who really did the hard thing of immigrating. I didn’t understand how brave what they did was. They had three small kids. I am struck now as an over 30-year-old how ballsy and bold they were to do that. All of my happiness and success was built on that very brave choice that they made
Ekene–I moved from Lagos Nigeria to LA. My parents had moved in search of better life financially, and I stayed in Lagos with my grandparents from age five to ten. Then my parents brought me over. It was pretty cool. I came with a green card and the first thing that happened is it was really cold. It was kind of freezing for first couple of weeks. My dad bought me this big ass jacket I wore every day, so that was my first culture shock. Going to school was pretty cool. I used to watch movies where the new kid gets bullied, so I used to work on my accent so that wouldn’t happen. Then I got here and everyone was pretty nice and I didn’t even have to worry about that.
Ahmad–I moved to US in 2009 when I was 18-years-old with my family on an immigrant visa from Pakistan. First we moved to Michigan with my uncle and stayed there four months. My older brother, older sister, and mother came initially. They didn’t approve father’s visa at first. After a few months we all moved to Iowa because my brother got a job with IBM. After staying there about two years or so my brother moved to Chicago and I went to the University of Iowa
My uncle, who lived in Michigan, filed to bring my mother over with an immigrant visa and my siblings and I were all under 18 when he filed for mother so by default we got an immigrant visa too. He filed for her in 1991, the year I was born, then we finally got an interview in 2007. Then a year and a half later we were able to move.
Katherine–I was six when we moved to the US. My dad’s family had owned a big, booming business for awhile in the Philippines. The businesses were starting to not do well, and the government at the time had a lot of corruption. Obviously, being so young I only had the partial story on this. Basically, the government started to head hunt dad and put him on a wanted list because of money and politics issues, and issues with his business. He had to go into hiding for a year or two before he even decided to come here. They were living outside of the main city where I was born with my mom’s side of the family, hiding out there.
I remember coming and being really worried about not being able to speak a lot of English. There’s that sense of excitement too though. As a kid you don’t know what’s going on. My parents had probably about $500 in their pockets. It was my sister and I, my two parents, and my dad’s younger sister who had just become dentist and my dad felt like there wasn’t much opportunity for her at home.
The Citizenship Process
Farhat–We had to get work permits first. I started working at 16 and remember we had to go to Milwaukee to get a permanent residence. Then we applied for citizenship in 2008 or 2009, and got it. That was my dad’s dream, for us to get citizenship and to graduate from UW Madison. He only had two dreams and they came true. I wish he could have seen it. He died before he became a citizen, but I wish he could have seen it because he wanted to travel so badly. Of course, having an American passport you can go anywhere and not have to worry about it. He didn’t want to take that risk without it.
I thought the test was going to be pretty hard. I didn’t know a lot about American history because I came in 8th grade and didn’t speak English. It was easier for some of my younger siblings. My mom was so funny she had literally memorized the whole book of 100 questions they give you to practice. It took a long time for all of us to get prepared, but in the end it was so easy. They barely asked any questions.
Lázaro and Rebecca–I got my citizenship 2015. Obama was definitely still president. I thought it would be a good idea. When you have a green card through marriage it’s a little bit of a faster process. To me the test was not hard because I studied a lot.
Ahmad–When you come here on an immigrant visa they put on your passport that it’s only temporary. It lasts for a month or so, then they send you your green card. So in 2009 we came, and I applied for citizenship in 2016. It was pretty easy. In my opinion it is really easy for a person who is a little bit educated and knows how to speak English. Some of my family members are older and are having trouble because they don’t know the language well.
Overall it was a really smooth process. You send in the application, then they notify you they’re working on your case, then they call you for an interview. In that interview they ask you basic questions about American history–what are the stars’ significance on the flag, who was the first president, basic knowledge about American history–once you do that they tell you if you’re approved.
Jennimaria–It wasn’t too complex for me because I wasn’t married just yet and I didn’t have any children, so I didn’t have to provide any documentation. I just had to prove I was who I said I was and give information about where I had lived and worked.
It was somewhat expensive. When I applied it was around $1000 for the application fee. It took a long time. It’s nerve wracking in a way. It felt like applying for a job or school, but actually way more monumental than that because it’s effective for the rest of your life. For me it took about six to eight months.
The citizenship test was actually really easy. I have one huge advantage which is that I learned english when I was really little, so during the citizenship process I didn’t have to navigate any language barrier. English is one of my native languages. I’ve been speaking it since I can remember, so I was really, really lucky in that sense and for me, the test itself was really easy because I didn’t have to navigate any ambiguity.
Ekene–I got my Green Card in 2006, and then it was about to expire in 2016 and my dad told me to apply for citizenship. I applied and it was a six month process. I had to get a lawyer because I wanted everything to go smoothly. It was expensive with the application and lawyer fees. I sent it in and eventually went to the interview. They didn’t make a decision right away. They dig really deep into your history. They asked questions about my parents I just didn’t know, because I was young when they came here. Then after about a week I got an email that I was gonna get citizenship.
The test was just like a history and civics test. What is Independence Day, et cetera. They give you a booklet ahead of time so you pretty much have the answers. If you went to high school in the US it’s easy.
Katherine–We kind of just missed out – there was a time in the late 80s when they were kind of giving citizenships away and really open to foreigners coming in. We missed that. We came at the end of 1988, so it took us a really long time. I didn’t get my green card until I was like 16 or 17, and I didn’t get citizenship until I was over 18.
The best way to describe it is citizenship is something that was like the trophy you were always looking for but could never get. It was very important for my family and very important for me. I’m the oldest kid in the family and there was a time in 4th or 5th grade when there was a chance–my parents had hired lawyer for green card but had issues–so there was a point where there was a chance we were gong to get deported. I was told since I was like eight or nine that I was basically responsible for my siblings in case something happened. I was told by parents every day for two years that if they didn’t pick me up from school it would be ok. Someone would pick me up. That fear made you realize oh this is really important.
When we got our Green Cards, I knew at that point we were fine. There were more emotions getting to that point than citizenship, because it basically says you’re safe. The chances that someone is gonna pull it away are very slim. For us I remember us getting our Green Card in the mail and I think we all cried at that point. This is over, it’s done. The big thing is too we were able to visit family again. My parents hadn’t gone back for 15 years. My mom’s dad died and she couldn’t go back.
Making It Official–The Citizenship Ceremony
Farhat–It was actually really nice. There were 50 or 60 people in a big room, the judge walks in, we all have a cute little American flag. It’s like graduation basically. It was a proud moment, with my whole family there. We loved it.
Lázaro and Rebecca–It was exciting. There were around 1000 people from 99 different countries at the same place in the same moment getting citizenship. They call them out alphabetically. I knew the other two Cubans there. People cheer when they call their country. It was very emotional for a lot of people. We got to hear a recording from Obama. Overall the ceremony was really cool.
Jennimaria–I was the first one of my family born in Finland to get it. I got it because I was engaged at the time and I figured I really was actually going to live in the states for the rest of my life. When thinking about getting married to an American man it kind of hit me that that meant so many other things. I’ll have American children. This country and its representatives would impact me for the rest of my life in a totally different way. I was not off the hook
I think in some ways before I met my husband and we decided we wanted to make a real commitment it felt like I was only half invested, then when I realized I was going to stay in this country, which I hadn’t firmly realized before, I was like I have to care, I have to vote, I have to be a participant.
The ceremony was really funny and sweet at the same time. The most memorable part of it was they asked us all to sit down right before we took the oath and they read the countries represented in order. There were 70 or 80 of us from at least three or four dozen different countries. They asked people to stand as their countries were read. Of course they named countries with conflict, and I remember thinking about all the barriers all those people had faced to get into that room and it was very emotional to be sharing that story with them. Even though many went through way more to become a citizen than I did, just knowing how hard it was to leave behind your home country and learn how to be a person in this entire new place, from the way people dress to how they greet each other–all of that is so hard and knowing that I shared that with all of these people was very moving and powerful.
I was really struck by the fact that the U.S. is the only country in the world where I could have that experience with people from dozens of countries around the globe. We all came here, to this country.
Ahmad–At the ceremony they give you a certificate saying that you pledge your loyalty to the United States. We had to denounce our original country of citizenship. The judge officiates and makes you take an oath. There were about 50 or 60 people at my ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa. There were people from all over the world.
There was a sense of happiness that I will have better opportunities in the states as compared to my home country. I was just happy that I came here and I finished college from a good university and now I’m in med school.
Ekene–The ceremony was cool. I met a guy from Pakistan, and we were talking the whole time about how similar our countries were, even though they’re pretty different in a lot of ways. Then we got sworn in together. My mom was there; we took pictures.
Katherine–It was a little surreal because we had been waiting for it for a long time. We went in, did the pledge–you basically say you’re going to be an upstanding citizen. I remember gong to LA and being in this big group of people getting their citizenship. You raise your right hand and say the right things, but really it meant a lot for us because we had been waiting for so long.
On Identity and Feeling American
Farhat–As soon as you move here and after living here, you just feel American. The piece of paper doesn’t make you feel more American. But at the same time after citizenship I felt like I am free. I can go anywhere I want and have that freedom. It makes you feel more secure; you’re safe.
I feel very americanized. When you’re 14 you don’t know who you are. You learn things about yourself at that age, so most of how I think and feel was learned here. The environment is so different. I wasn’t exposed to Afghan culture much once I was in the states. It was just my family and our uncle’s family, and both families are pretty Americanized. The thing that I have is the food, and the language, but the culture and the way I think is much more American.
When it comes to my mom I’ve seen the difference from 20 years ago to now. She’s way more open minded. It helps here just because you get to meet so many people from different countries and see different ways of life. It opens your minds to other cultures. For us kids, we studied and went to university and had all this knowledge, but it was hard for my mom because she was older. But eventually she’s met people from other countries, and just from living here, it’s changed her way of thinking.
Lázaro and Rebecca–I didn’t feel more American. When I go to Cuba I have to go with my Cuban passport. I don’t use my citizenship for anything except when people ask ‘are you a citizen?’
Cubans in general are very, very proud and quite nationalistic. He still identifies very strongly as Cuban I think. (Rebecca).
Ahmad–If you’re a citizen you definitely have more rights. I can vote, that’s one big thing. You become more secure when you’re a citizen.
I’ll be honest it’s really hard to give up your country of birth. You can never change where you’re from no matter how hard you try. For me I knew this country, America, had given me many opportunities and I will always be faithful and loyal to this country, but it’s hard to give up your home. When you step out of one country as an immigrant and go to another, you leave your country to hope you will one day settle in another that has those opportunities.
Jennimaria–I would say I’m very much a hybrid in every sense of the word. My value system is hybrid of Finnish and American and my way of communication is a hybrid. The cultures are very distinct, between Finland and the Southern United States. I grew up mostly in Georgia and that is differrent in so many ways from Finland. Integrating those two cultures into my identity was a challenge because there’s such a big delta. Finnish people are generally standoffish and keep to themselves. Southerners are very friendly and outgoing, on average. Both parts are really important to me. One thing is being American does make it easier to travel to other countries.
Ekene–After I got citizenship I didn’t really feel different except that now I was a dual citizen. If I want to travel to any European country I don’t need a visa, which is cool. I feel like I’m a hybrid. I spent half my life in Nigeria, and half here. I feel as American as I can and as Nigerian as I can. Except now I can vote. Of course the candidate I voted for didn’t win, but it was cool watching the whole thing on TV and thinking ‘hey, I’m actually one of those votes.’
Katherine–The funny thing is that I actually identify as more American than Filipino. Even the Green Card didn’t change me. I identified more American than I did an immigrant, so it was hard for me to understand that someone could basically send me away from home.
My journey in this whole thing was that for a good 15 years–from the moment that I could understand–it was like someone was going to take you away from home. That’s what it felt like. My parents always played by the rules, paid their taxes, and contributed to society. All the kids have become successful and we took it very, very seriously these opportunities we were given, because we were scared they were going to be taken away. We made sure we’re good Americans.
My citizenship is probably one of the most important things to me. In my mind I feel like I grew up faster because of the fact that we weren’t citizens and were scared of deportation. Some kids and adults are going through that right now. I sometimes see people who don’t take advantage of the opportunities they have here. As an American who is not born an American I saw this as you can’t do what we do here everywhere. Not even in some other first world countries. The freedom we have here is absolutely crucial.
On What It Means to Be American
Farhat–I feel like I’m the luckiest person just because of everything going on in the world. We are so lucky to live here because we have freedom of speech and there’s justice when things go wrong. That’s one thing I’m really proud of. There are so many crazy, bad things happening, but then I see people protesting the next day. That makes me so proud. I have a daughter now, and as a mother I know that if something were to happen there will be people behind our back fighting for justice. There are so many people making a difference and going to jail for families they’ve never seen or don’t even know but they just get up and are protesting. That’s one thing we have to appreciate because in other countries, like where I’m from, there’s so much corruption and no one does anything; the government controls everything. The government really will kill you and no one will stand up for you. Of course here there’s all this shit happening, but we have to be positive and look at all the people making a difference and appreciate them.
Jenni–Oddly enough I moved to London a month after I became a citizen. I think for the first time in my life I heard people really criticizing the US and realized how deeply I identified with the United States as my home and myself as an American. I found myself very vehemently defending it. It felt like a commitment. I also specifically found myself identifying with the American south in particular because it’s where I grew up. Sometimes outright people would say “Americans are x, y and z.” Things that homogenize America and the people that live here.
I feel the need to remind people that you can’t talk about the US as homogenous whole. It is so incredibly vast and diverse. The difference between Georgia and New York is as drastic as Finland and the UK, if not more so. It’s geographically so vast and diverse, from the deserts to mountains to subtropics to the northeast–it’s beautiful. Then culturally it’s very, very diverse. There are so many different types of Americans, and nothing is true about all of them except that they live in this place called the Untied States of America.
I also definitely don’t think it’s an accident that a lot of these innovative, incredible companies are here. It’s a place where there’s opportunity for people.
Ekene–The most important thing about being American is not necessarily freedom, but more that anything you put your mind to, you can accomplish. The ball is in your own court. Compared to other countries, like my own. In Nigeria, you can work as hard as you want but due to corruption or whatever you might not get it. Here, if you work diligently and keep working at it, you can accomplish it. That’s what it is to be American.
You need the right guidance. You need to do it the right way. Any little slip up can get you messed up. There’s systematic racism and things like that. But it is still achievable if you’re smart about it, and have the right people around you. Information is key. It’s great though, that you just gotta work hard for what you want and can achieve it. That’s it.
