This morning, I had to go to the Milwaukee USCIS office for a client's adjustment of status interview. The place was packed! Normally, the waiting area is practically empty. A citizenship oath ceremony was being held. This is a bit unusual in Wisconsin; the oath ceremonies are usually held at the federal district courthouse, but additional oath ceremonies have been scheduled this month to give the new citizens a chance to vote next week.
Watching an oath ceremony is a moving experience. The presiding officer read out the names of all the countries represented. It was like a roll call of the United Nations. I didn't count the number of countries, but I'm estimating it was between 20-30 countries. Then she read out their names and each stood up individually. What powerful reminders that this country is a nation of immigrants.
As an immigration attorney, I know the likely backstory for most of the individuals being sworn in as citizens.
A good number of them were originally "illegal immigrants": they entered this country illegally perhaps 10-15 years ago (or more) or they overstayed a visa. Our laws have allowed them to first become legal permanent residents and now U.S. citizens despite their past immigration law transgressions. To become a citizen, you have to show good moral character, which means not being convicted of crimes, paying taxes and child support, not claiming public benefits unless entitled to them.
Some came as workers, recruited by American employers because they have knowledge and skills otherwise absent in the U.S. workforce. Others came to the country as spouses, fiance(e)s, children of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Still others entered as students or nonimmigrant workers and married a U.S. citizen. And a few came into the country as asylees/refugees, fleeing persecution in their countries of origin.
No matter their backstories, they enrich our country and deserve our admiration because they all share a willingness to leave familiar surroundings to pursue their dreams. Here in Wisconsin, 75% of residents were born in the state. The majority of Wisconsites have no idea what it is like to move to completely new place far from familiar surroundings and familiar culture and how much courage and faith that requires.
These 77 new citizens will cast their first votes in a national election next week. They will have a voice. For some, this will be the first time ever in their lives that they have voted in a democratic election. For those of us who were born U.S. citizens, that's hard to imagine as we sometimes take for granted that we live in a democracy. Don't forget to vote!