As the political landscape heats up, voting is at the forefront of their minds. One woman from France, eager to have her voice heard, immediately registered to vote in California during the October ceremony. To become a U.S. citizen, immigrants typically need to have lived in the country for at least five years with a green card, along with passing an English and civics test.
Many new citizens shared their aspirations of traveling with an American passport, engaging in political life, and feeling like full members of the country they love and call home.
Chia Hsin Tsai, a 33-year-old from Taiwan, moved to the U.S. eleven years ago to pursue her master’s degree. Now a marketing manager in the food industry, she applied for citizenship in March to officially represent her feelings about America. “Being part of the country I live in makes me feel special,” she said, highlighting her intention to vote in the upcoming election but refraining from disclosing her candidate of choice.
Her boyfriend, Eric Boyes, praised her perseverance, noting, “She became an American not just because she passed a test, but because she lived here for 11 years and learned everything about America.”
Florian Turcat, a 37-year-old from France, has been inspired by American films and television since childhood, dreaming of becoming an actor. Now residing in Los Angeles with her web developer husband, Turcat took steps to register to vote during the ceremony, expressing her desire to support Vice President Kamala Harris, especially concerning women’s rights and reproductive rights. “I want to be part of the political movement in this country,” she emphasized.
Another participant, Phoenix De Los Angeles Lopez Dal, shared his lifelong aspiration to become an American citizen, driven by his belief in the country’s ideals, including freedom of expression, religious freedom, and the right to bear arms. Originally from Venezuela, he arrived in the U.S. at six years old with his mother and sister. Though he plans to remain politically independent, Lopez Dal expressed concern over what he perceives as a shift to the left among Democrats, drawing parallels to the political changes he witnessed in Venezuela.
Dennis Baer, a 46-year-old filmmaker from Germany, grew up seeing America as a land of freedom and opportunity. He hopes to vote for Harris in the upcoming election, motivated by concerns related to the January 6 Capitol riots. “I just want to preserve this whole democracy,” he stated, reflecting on his love for America since his first visit in 2001.
Living in Los Angeles, Baer is excited to finally share his citizenship with his American children and Canadian wife, who recently became a citizen herself. He had previously postponed his application due to German laws regarding dual citizenship, but with recent changes making it easier to obtain multiple citizenships, he is thrilled about his new status.
As these new Americans embrace their citizenship and prepare to vote in the upcoming election, their stories highlight the diverse and hopeful spirit that continues to shape the United States.
