I wish I were an...
When I see that phrase “I wish I were an...”, I finish it in my head with the tune/lyric from the Oscar Meyer Weiner advertisement. But, seriously, yesterday, I had the opportunity to help two individuals who finished that phrase with “U.S. Citizen.”
One of my clients worked for YEARS to fix his immigration status and recently became a U.S. citizen. He just returned from a trip back home to Pakistan, and he came in to thank me for helping him obtain the U.S. passport. He said that these travels, on the U.S. passport, were the easiest travels he had ever experienced — that he was treated with respect and deference in the airports. In Mohammed’s words, “the passport defines you.”
If that is not incentive enough for those of you out there who are eligible for citizenship, but have not yet applied, then, add in the fact that if you are a citizen you are eligible to VOTE — and very important elections are coming up soon.
The other individual I helped yesterday did not become a citizen, despite his study efforts and desire. He just didn’t speak enough English to have the confidence and skill to study for the test.
For those of you out there who are in this category, or just afraid of the process, I encourage you to seek help from the several organizations here in town that offer classes, coaching, and even monetary assistance for the citizenship process. Yes, the process is expensive, and difficult for some, but it is well worth the effort.
We have good resources here in town (JVS, Catholic Charities, KCK Community College, Don Bosco, Metropolitan Community Colleges, and numerous churches that have programs). If you need help, call one of these programs and find out what is available.
If you are a person who wants to volunteer to teach, I encourage you to contact one of these programs and find out how they can use your skills to help others obtain this part of the American dream.
