By Sheila Arkee
My parents and I became naturalized U.S. citizens the Summer I was 8 going on 9. Due to a paper work mix-up, I wasn’t allowed to participate in the swearing in ceremony, and boy, you have never seen a sadder soon-to-be U.S. citizen. I wanted to stand up in pride for the only home I’ve ever known, and still feel the same way. May God bless this land that I – and millions of others – love.
Out of curiosity, what country did you and your folks immigrate from?
Iran.
. I came to the states at 2 months old.
Happy 4th (a day late) to you too! Did you ever get to participate for real in a swearing-in? How rotten to be deprived of that special ceremony.
Jessica – I never had that chance! It was a really sad event for me – you’d think they’d have made an exception for a kid!