Becoming American

It was equal parts anti-climactic and profoundly moving.

On October 30, 2024 I took an oath to become a U.S. citizen along with 16 other immigrants from all over the world. I’m immensely grateful to Flora Legal Group for their support over the last 7 years. I couldn’t have done it without them, or at least not without losing my sanity.

The road to get to this point was long, frustrating, complicated, and wildly expensive. And I’m saying that as a white, English-speaking person who arrived in the U.S. in arguably the easiest way possible on a path to citizenship. I think often about the roads that others travel (literally and figuratively) and how easy my journey was in comparison. My eye twitches and I cringe inside every time I hear someone say “just do it the legal way.” If only they knew.

I now have two passports (yes, I can maintain dual citizenship) so I’m basically Jason Bourne, and I will be able to vote in the next election. What a privilege it is to have the paperwork required to exercise that right. Others are not so fortunate.

I’m very proud of my Canadian heritage and my new American citizenship. Here’s to the immigrants in both countries who make all of us great.