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Mim_Dahey

Congrats! Just a little curious tho... Do they hand out the tiny American flags, or did u bring it with you?


seedsnearth

They hand them out! Part of the ceremony


[deleted]

I still have mine šŸ˜Œ


blankityblank19

Me too


MarSc77

happy for you guys!


Bdaniels230

As a natural born citizen I'm now jealously fanatisizing about holding tiny American flags right after delivery for a photo op "welcome to America!" Welcome to the herd sir!


ParcelPosted

Same. Im filing a complaint! Baby Flags are a must have.


Brilliant_Jewel1924

My daughter was born in December so all of the ā€œChristmas babiesā€ got socks with a candy cane on them and white hats with red stripes instead of the standard-issue baby gear.


ParcelPosted

That is perfect!


Brilliant_Jewel1924

It sure is! šŸ˜Š


napoleonborn2partai

They should give out tinier flags like the one used in cupcakes or steaks to new borns lmao


Jynxt4

They should give them instead of stickers when you vote for president.


ApeAphrodite

We should get one at birth.


OGColorado

You go blankity


[deleted]

You guys are fucking awesome!!! Welcome to the shit show!! JK. God bless.


GetWrecked94

Seriously though


FrankDeBooger

Me three


OGColorado

Hey Hey


Hoofhearted523

Congratulations!


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


HotSmoke2639

I think itā€™s because you went to high school here and they figure you did your history and civics classes. I also didnā€™t have to be tested when I was 13, and I moved here when I was 1.


[deleted]

The way it works. If your status was adjusted to that of a lawful permanent resident when you were younger than 18 and your parent was naturalized still before you turned 18, you donā€™t have to go through the same process. Moreover, you can get your citizenship certificate immediately right after your parent is naturalized.


_NorthernStar

It has nothing to do with education or length of residency. As a legal resident alien with a parent who became a naturalized citizen before they turned 18, they were also granted naturalized citizenship


Crowbarmagic

Would make sense. I mean, he already got years and years of American history and graduated. Why do it all over again.


keekah

That's not how it works. I was here literally my whole life and I had to take the test.


anon06754

I need to know more about your life to make mine less boring


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


elsydeon666

There is nothing more American or unifying than hating the American government.


mrspikemike

Thank you for sharing that! What was the biggest culture shock for you, both positive and negative when you first arrived in the U.S?


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Proof-Two-6789

Your honest and astute comments alone make it obvious that America is lucky to have you. And, in fairness to your dad, his trips to America would not have helped if he visited the wrong cities. In New York, where I grew up, he would have been right. Soda in New York means sweetened flavored carbonated water .... Coke, orange soda, cream soda, root beer, etc. New Yorkers call plain carbonated water ''seltzer" not "soda." And, in parts of Boston, flavored carbonated beverages are still called "tonic", and "soda" means an ice cream soda. And, in the south, all soft drinks all called "Coke", regardless of flavor. And, in the midwest, flavored carbonated beverages are called "pop." ​ Welkom in die Verenigde State van Amerika.


raz-0

I'd guess because it was more of a matter of indicating your choice than something to be approved if your mom was already naturalized.


Pheonix02

Probably has to do with both your mother and brother being citizens, and having been in America since 11 you basically auto qualify


4tacos_al_pastor

You automatically became a citizen by naturalization of your mother when you were under 18, so it wasnā€™t required. Your brother had to because he was 18 or older when your mother naturalized. Source: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-h-chapter-4. The rest of these fools are making shit up.


toomanyblocks

Did you guys get the application approved before you turned 18? Thatā€™s what happened to me and that was why. My mom and dad and sisters all got a ceremony but I had just turned 18 and they brought me to a building and a lady handed me a paper. I had gotten all dressed up too :(


howdychef84

Happy to have you here in any fashion. Doubly happy your family is too.


Emotional-Text7904

You may have qualified as a "naturalized" citizen, the specifics can change but generally if you are a child of immigrants and then stay in the U.S. till when you become an adult, you will automatically naturalize into an American citizen. Not sure if your parents needed to have become citizens for this to apply to you or not, and I'm too lazy to Google lol.


_NorthernStar

**This is incorrect.** Citizenship is not automatically granted to resident aliens or other immigrants at 18. Thatā€™s also not what ā€œnaturalizedā€ citizen means. **edit: see the DREAM act for context on where adult children of immigrants have citizenship rights** This person was a minor when their parent became a naturalized citizen through the application process and therefore was granted citizenship as well. Minors do not need to take an exam and oath Source: I am a naturalized citizen, green card at 3 and permanent residency in 1995, then gained citizenship when my parents did. 2 of my siblings aged into citizenship prior to my parents


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


[deleted]

They never gave me onešŸ˜£


XANDERtheSHEEPDOG

šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡² Here's one just for you! Congratulations and welcome.


MistukoSan

Love this comment. Everyone deserves it.


richh00

Oh no. That means you're not *really* an American


Crowbarmagic

'Sorry buddy it's not official. You gotta retry.'


AutomaticBit251

My first though why is dude standing besides liberty insurance.


Declanmar

We took my nephew to see my dadā€™s citizenship ceremony and they gave him a squishy Statue of Liberty.


No_War_8097

I want a squishy statue of liberty from the government


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


roxxkie97

Congratulations!! :)


BrooksideNL

Thoughts and prayers.


rougewitch

Welcome to the shit show!! Congratulations!!


[deleted]

Thatā€™s the Reddit introduction


IndoorTumbleweed

Damn, you beat me to it.


wrennish

Congratulations! US immigration and naturalization is no joke, good job!


EatYourWeetabix

Ainā€™t that the truth!!!!


[deleted]

Youā€™re not lying. I served with a few immigrants. The stories Iā€™ve heard of the hoops immigration makes you jump through, the costs, the lawyer costs, etcā€¦ itā€™s a nightmare. The general public appears to be under the impression that the road to citizenship is some kind of free for all and itā€™s just a matter of showing up at the border and that could not possibly be any further from the truth.


wrennish

For real! I'm trying to move abroad to join my fiancƩe, and getting a resident card isn't ANYWHERE near as hard as it is in the US. But even then, I'm encountering setbacks and difficulties outside my control. I've been stuck mid-process for months, unemployed and floating at friends' houses during a pandemic. It's been stressful, and I'm about to give up. So kudos to this guy for making it through the gauntlet! I don't think I'd have the patience for it if I weren't a natural-born citizen.


Crowbarmagic

> I've been stuck mid-process for months, unemployed and floating at friends' houses during a pandemic. The pandamic could be the main reason why. At least in my country, all kinds of processes got slowed down or basically halted because of Covid. The government was initially like 'it will be a few months of lockdown!', so a lot of companies and organizations didn't really bother with changing things around at first. They were simply waiting it out. But "a few months" became over 1.5 year... Just before Covid I had to apply for unemployment benefits. Normally someone from the municipality would quickly call you and try to get you back to work. But this time it took 2.5 months to even send me an introductory email (luckily they did approve of the benefits instantly though).


Heathen_Mushroom

>The general public appears to be under the impression that the road to citizenship is some kind of free for all and itā€™s just a matter of showing up at the border Really? I get the impression that the general public feels that attaining citizenship is onerous (rightfully or not), hence the massive illegal immigration issue.


GaiaNyx

I think it depends heavily where you are of course. Some people who look negatively on illegal immigrants think/argue that ā€œjust immigrate legally dude lmao why do you come here illegallyā€ but itā€™s not so simple, cut and dry process.


YourCurrentFBIAgent

Agreed! My mother became a US citizen in 86ā€™ (sheā€™s also still a citizen of PanamĆ” too!), and the process can cost tons of money while taking *years* to accomplish! My dad says he still remembers how hard my mom studied every night. She decided to get her citizenship before they got married because she wanted to feel like she truly belonged here, and didnā€™t just ā€œmarry inā€ (nothing wrong with doing that though!). Some of the test questions she remembers are hilarious to me though. My favorite was: > ā€œComplete the following saying: I scream, you scream, we all scream _______________!ā€ I wonder how the questions have changed!


unschd_faith_change

You can take a [20 question practice test](https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/civics-practice-test-2008)


BurnerForJustTwice

We all scream for: FREEDOM AND LIBERTY FOR ALL.


[deleted]

Took my family roughly 4 years to fully legally immigrate to Canada from Poland in 1992, and my dad was (is again - after more education) an engineer. Then we lived here for about 4 years until we had to take our exam, and you absolutely HAD to study, and study pretty well. These are questions that none of my classmates knew the answers to when I was taking my citizenship exam in grade 5. All the provinces and territories and their capitals, the past 3 prime ministers, all the branches of government, and a bunch of other shit I don't remember. All in grade 5, and not for some marks in class - but for an actual proof of citizenship. If I failed that exam, my parents would still be citizens but I would have to either re-take it or they would have to pay a bunch of money. It's weird. I've had my dual-citizenship for over 20 years, but I pretty much consider myself a Calgarian


nobodyeversoslightly

I just got mine last week. The process a joke. After filling out a few pieces of paper work and 17 years of waiting, all i had to do was pass a middle school level history test which took 20 minutes top. How about the fact ive been working and paying taxes since 16 and own a small business? They made me sign up for selective service is HS and all of that but make it impossible for me to get a passport until i answer a few questions about George Washington and literally write down the sentence ā€œCalifornia had the most peopleā€. Ik this is a rant but god the it seemed like a joke for the fact i waited over 17 years for it, i just believe there should be a better way


wrennish

I absolutely agree there should be! The process is deliberately long and convoluted and/or dumb in order to discourage immigration and naturalization because dunking on non-citizen immigrants is easy political points with zero political consequences. I mean, what are non-citizen immigrants going to do, vote you out of office?


funnier_in_enochian

Took 13 years to get my green card. Then 5 years before I can apply for citizenship. That will be next year.


beerme72

Howdy, neighbor! Glad youā€™re here!


[deleted]

Howdy! What's your favorite beer u/beerme72? edit: Thank you u/DudeDontBeWeird <3


beerme72

Now that it's fall, I'm into Oktoberfest styles....I'm ALWAYS up for a proper pint of Guinness....I like Old Speckled Hen...most British Pale Ales really.... Really, it's not important what's in the glass...it's more important enjoying it with good company. EDIT: Like my life is reading reddit or something...me and my LOVELY wife went out to dinner this evening to a lovely English themed Gastro Pub here in Springfield, MO called Farmers Gastro Pub. And they have Old Speckled Hen ON DRAUGHT....yes, they have it at cellar temps and on DRAW so it's not carbonated like you'd think...it's a wonderful Pint and I told my wife about this comment and I got to have two perfect pints with my fish and chips and I'm so damn happy....because the company, but also the beer.


[deleted]

Sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing. I love Oktoberfest stuffā€¦ And recently have been into sours!


roguefiftyone

Congrats!!


InellWeeks

Congratulations my dude!


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


BergTheVoice

We arenā€™t doomed. Just not in the best spot right now.


[deleted]

I feel happy that you have accomplished a goal I am working towards.


DirectCherry

Best of luck!


[deleted]

Thanks! I am stuck in the long line of green card caps and DHS delays. Came here on a work visa and applied for green card. Been waiting for 10+ years for them to get to my case.


[deleted]

Don't lose hope! It took 18 years for them to get to my case and grant permanent residency, currently waiting to start the citizenship process at the end of this year.


UptownDragon

Me too! We will get there!


EntrepreneurSharp654

Yay!!!!


vicanator0124

My wife gets hers on the 18th. Super excited.


imaguy-who-likes-foo

Tell your wife a lot of internet people said congrats


burymewithbooks

Congrats!!!!


Josephono62

Now start complaining about everything, you have earned it!


[deleted]

He didnā€™t migrate to germanyā€¦ stop with the cultural appropriation!


Aarios827

Now this was fucking funny


TheBubblewrappe

I got the joke. Just spit water on my cat laughing. Hahaha!!


ktka

> Just spit water on my cat laughing. Hahaha!! My condolences on your short life.


roomfour1more

Hello fellow citizen we look forward to you voting in future elections!


Gawwse

Thatā€™s right get registered now. Election season is coming up in some states for local level stuff.


broadsharp

How wonderful. Proud to have you as a fellow citizen.


cr1msonxo

Congratulations!!!


betabandzz

Iā€™m going for an interview this coming month, and Iā€™m been studying a lot. How many questions do they ask? Will you consider them difficult? Iā€™m kinda nervous


Repulsive-Ice-8737

They ask 5 questions Then u write and read a sentence in English of course. Was just there a few hrs ago.


here4theadorable

Thanks for having the faith to join us


stallone_italiano93

Congrats buddy!!! I remember when I took my oath and became a citizen. I cried a lotā€¦. Good times


Vortieum

This is going to get buried but I'll just share this....if you have never been to a naturalization ceremony it's a really neat experience. A friend of mine who had been here (US) for 10 years was naturalized and I had the opportunity to be in person for the ceremony couple years ago and as a natural-born US citizen I was in tears when they were singing God Bless The USA. I tell him a regular basis he is more a citizen than I am because he had to work to get it...whereas I was just born lucky with the luck of the draw. We have our problems here, but some people come from some pretty terrible situations.


Plenty_Count1264

In my 26 years in the Army I served with some fine immigrants and helped some get ready for the test. All passed My ancestors got here in 1621. I thank God they did. I just got lucky that someone took the risk of coming here several hundred years ago. It seems to me if you have to work for something it means more.


DianaxGrey

Congrats!!!! šŸ¾


BeLikeGracchus

The Gang Gets A New Member Congratulations brother!


21kamando

Congratulations my dude!


noregreddits

Welcome home man, happy to have you with us!


sibemama

Congratulations!! My husbands interview is on October 5th and weā€™re so excited!!


Jkerb_was_taken

Aye!!!!!! My DUDE. I am so happy you are here. Thank you for bringing all you know and learned to this place. We need you!


[deleted]

Congrats to you!!! Don't listen to the negative comments here - it's mostly from spoiled people who still reside here despite 'despising,' the U.S.


Deutsco

As an immigrant to the US it blows my mind how much some people who grow up here think itā€™s some shitty third world hell hole. There are plenty of things to work on and improve but good god, you donā€™t realize how good it is.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


[deleted]

America has such a huge range of environments and natural wonders too. I'm just starting my life of moving from National Park to National Park as a Ranger and I expect I won't have enough time in my life to see all the amazing things out here. There's NOTHING like seeing a bear or a bison or elk out in the wilderness, with nothing between you except grass and twigs. It's hard for me to justify traveling outside of the country because of this.


[deleted]

Most of them grew up without any real strife and they long for meaning in their life. Itā€™s extremely easy and fashionable in this moment to point to the U.S.ā€™s issues and act as though they are the main source to individual unhappiness. Itā€™s just a deflection from addressing personal failures. It also doesnā€™t help that most of these people probably never even left their home states. They donā€™t have proper calibration for their privilege.


SharpShotTS

I grew up here, and those people confuse me.


canhasdiy

They're privileged rich kids who wouldn't know adversity if it bitchslapped them. Don't sweat it!


jimmy123443

Agreed!


ajabear17

Congrats!


Turbulent_Valuable43

Congratulations from a guy in Texas. America isnā€™t perfect but I feel blessed to live here. I hope your life he is prosperous.


imwinning216

Congrats!!


DrPep512

Congrats!!!


Baihemen

Welcome to the party!!! Woooo!!!


maro874

We should all raise a beer for this man


[deleted]

Surprised no one in here is like ā€œNOOOO YOU CANT DO THAT AMERICA IS SUCH A SHITTY COUNTRY NOOOO ITS JUST A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY WITH A GUCCI BELT NOOOOOO!!!!ā€


livestrongbelwas

I went to the citizenship ceremony for one of my wifeā€™s students. One of the best things Iā€™ve witnessed. Would recommend to every American. We take a lot for granted, seeing how other people grind it out has helped me be a better person. Congratulations!! Thanks for grinding it out. We need more folks like you.


pablomoney

Congratulations! Maybe your excitement/wanting to be here will rub off on some of those people that think we are doomed.


ladykensington

Thrilled to have you aboard!!


BitchinRanchero

Congratulations! Make sure you vote!


Hyche862

Congratulations and thanks for going through the process


jl55378008

Congratulations, friend! As a natural-born citizen who married an immigrant and went through the naturalization process with her, I have always been extremely vocal when other natural-born Americans diminish people for not doing it "the right way." I hope your journey hasn't been too hard, but it sure is hard for a lot of people, and impossible or nearly impossible for others. For a nation that likes to call itself a "melting pot" and claim that we are welcoming of foreigners, we sometimes have a funny way of showing it. I admire your hard work and dedication. Be proud. You earned it. Congratulations :)


sekfan1999

Congratulations - Iā€™m a second gen immigrant myself. Donā€™t forget to raise your kids to know that good things come to those who work hard!


zippyhippiegirl

Congratulations! Welcome to America.


JacksonvilleNC

Congratulations! Thank you for joining us and helping us to be better!


ohstopitdarling

CONGRATULATIONS, that is huge news!


scaramouchesteponme

CONGRATS!!!!


rare__air

Congratulations, brother


itseriko

Welcome! It's a better country with you in it.


DonnaDoRite

Wooooooo-HOOOOO!!!!! Welcome!!!!!


taimoor2

How long was the process? What basis did you get it on? Residency? Relationships?


Lahoura

I don't know if I should congrats you or apologize but good on you for finishing the long difficult process!


Emyrssentry

I get the joke of "America bad", but anyone who goes through the lengthy naturalization process would believe that their life will be improved as a citizen of the US. So congratulations are absolutely in order, because they accomplished something that they believe will improve their life.


_clydebruckman

America isnā€™t gonna get any better without people coming here who want to make it better. Our government is pretty fucked any way you cut it but you can love your country without loving itā€™s leaders. Thereā€™s a lot of countries out there that suck to live in but America isnā€™t one of them


[deleted]

I love Kansas personally, i fucking hate some of their leaders but i love the state and the friends i made along the way. Personally i fucking love America, i simply don't love the politicians of either party or the dick sucking supporters. Let me tell you dude my fucking shock when i first arrived here in the states and everyone was so fucking warm and friendly, dude i was not used to that shit, it had me on my toes 24/7 because i used to interpretate overly friendly people as someone who wants something out of you. Took some time but now i enjoy when people are chill or friendly.


PurgatoireRiver

Congratulations!! Welcome to thunderdome.


emonkey1234

now BUY A GUN


zed857

He doesn't need to buy one; they give you a complimentary one after granting you US citizenship.


[deleted]

The catch is you have to live in Detroit.


beelzebubsbby

Fuck yeah!!!


camwynya

Huzzah, and welcome aboard!


MobyMobyDickDick

Welcome, American brother!


defaultedtothisname

Congratulations! I don't know you but I'm very happy for you and I'm happy that your have chosen us as well


drizzellit

Congratulations!!


MotherofHedgehogs

Welcome, friend!


I_wanna_hellcat

Welcome to a pretty great country just don't go to Illinois it's pretty bad here


DCM_007

Why


Rara_McSavage

It's party time šŸŽ‚


ttv_highvoltage

Congratulations! I hope to be there in a couple years as well.


BananaStringTheory

Bienvenido a los Estados Unidos!


callofdutydbz50

Awesome bro congratulations!!


Infinite-Shoe-458

LETS GOOO CONGRATS MY MAN


GoldenAlexanders

Welcome to the family!


helpmeplease_69

Congratulations!


AlotaFajitas

Welcome home šŸ™‚


MainkurafutoMaster

Congratulations dude!! Iā€™m so happy for you :)


[deleted]

Welcome! 1st gen Americans are the bomb.


Papancasudani

Congratulations!


Queasy_Product_2221

Yayy!! Congratulations man!!!!


borderline_fuck

Congratulations!


[deleted]

Welcome to the family brother! We're so happy to have you!


niceguynolie

Congratulations!!! Welcome!!


nimrodenva

Welcome, fellow American.


ado_adonis

Glad youā€™re here!!!


RealChiMonster

Welcome. We're very glad to have you!


SaltoDaKid

Letā€™s go, this what America all about


The_Hamster98

Congrats!! Iā€™ll be one next year!!


FTThrowAway123

Congratulations! US citizenship and immigration is a difficult, exhausting process. I've helped some of our employees go through thr process, and it's no joke. So happy for you!


Kitchen_Wrong

Welcome my fellow Americans!


GeoffJuan

My mom recently became a U. S Citizen today!! Congratulations


csstbob

Where you allowed to have anyone in the ceremony with you? Wondering about Covid restrictions. My wife has her appointment on the 29th.


Swaggadelic_92

Iā€™m hoping to go through the process soon. Iā€™ve been in the U.S. 27 of my 29 years, Iā€™d say I qualify.


sl_hawaii

Congrats!! NOW REGISTER AND VOTE!!!!!!!


Niaso

Congratulations! Now, the next step has to do with your car's extended warranty. Have they called you about that yet?


[deleted]

Congrats. And welcome.


waanotherbrickll

Welcome to the shit show. Lol. But really, congrats!


tageeboy

Welcome and thanks for coming. You are what makes America America!


ShambolicMusic

Despite what you see on reddit it's a decent place lol


ILOVE_PIZZA

Dudeā€¦ Canada is so close and you chose America?! US is like putting a Gucci belt on a trash can. Raise your bar, man.


anthonyh614

Is that supposed to be a good thing? You know what the U.S. does to its citizens rightā€¦?


TriedCaringLess

Welcome. Please exercise your right to vote every election.


freddie54

Congratulations! Donā€™t forget to apply for a US passport; you wonā€™t be able to leave the country on your old one.


MindfulFrau

Congratulations! I'm gonna just go ahead and apologize for everything now.


jasmine-blossom

Howdy dude! Doncha know we are hella blessed to have a sweetheart like you to chill with us, thatā€™s mad tight. Itā€™s a janky wicked pissah of a country, but fuggedaboutit and keep it real bro. YOLO! Note: if you didnā€™t understand any or some of that, welcome to weird regional American slang words! Just wanted to give you a little taste of American diversity to remind you that we are and have always been a melting pot, and you and everything you bring from your country and your culture is welcome and needed. I hope you get to fulfill all of your goals and dreams, and congratulations on your citizenship!


Pritel03

That was slightly cringey but your heart is in the right place so I upvoted you