Skip to main content

Why I Became an American Citizen

By U.S. News & World Report

A few days after the 9/11 terrorist attack, I received a letter from the Justice Department containing my notice to be sworn in as an American citizen.

I was both ecstatic and a little anxious upon receiving the letter. I had been essentially living in the United States continuously since college and for the previous seven years as a permanent resident under green card status. But as one born in Canada, I had yearned for the right to vote and fully engage as a citizen in this country.

About a month or so later, I went down to the courthouse in southern Manhattan for my swearing in ceremony. As it was so soon after the terrorist attacks, I entered cautiously, walking past the armed soldiers guarding the building. Inside, I felt a sense of awe as the presiding judge discussed the meaning of being a citizen of the United States and had us recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

After reciting the Pledge, I stood in silence, reflecting on my heritage. I knew that my Canadian upbringing and exposure to a bilingual culture had a significant impact on who I was but, over the years, I identified more and more as an American and marveled at this ever-present, irrepressible and indescribable spirit to dream, to choose and to have an opportunity to soar. I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude in finally becoming an American citizen and now able to fully participate in the civic life of this country.

As I looked at the other people who had just been sworn in, I noticed an elderly Asian man. He could very well have been 100 years old, with a gentle-looking face and tears running down his cheeks. I kept looking at him, wondering what his journey to get to this country might have been and why it was still so important to him that he become an American citizen near the end of his life.

I will never know why or how this elderly man became an American, as every immigrant to the United States has a unique journey on the path to citizenship. I do believe that he felt blessed during the ceremony. Like other immigrants, he cherished the opportunities available in this country and the possibilities ingrained in the ideals “of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Our standing as a country of immigrants has sadly been diminished recently. Yet, the richness of our culture and heritage as well as our strength as a nation are inextricably linked to our openness as a society and our history of being a place that welcomes others. Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding father, once famously said that America would lead the 21st century because although China had 1 billion persons the United States had 7 billion people because it had access to the world’s best, brightest, most adventurous and risk-takers who seek to make their lives in the United States.

No doubt, immigrants have made major contributions in many fields and will continue to do so. Think of Google founder Sergey Brin (from Russia), Tesla founder Elon Musk (from South Africa), former New York Yankees Robinson Cano (from Dominican Republic), businessman George Soros (from Hungary), or Secretary Madeleine Albright (from the Czech Republic). Given the centrality of science and technology in this modern age, without greater progress in these disciplines and the continual immigration of the best and the brightest young minds to America, our nation stands the risk of stagnating and, ultimately, falling behind.

We remain a nation of opportunity. The journeys of immigrants and their contributions are central to the overall American story. Commonsense immigration reform can ensure that this American melting pot continues to combine both depth and richness in priceless ways. As we move forward as a nation and having recently celebrated another Independence Day on July 4, let us both remember our past and, as we look ahead, our pathway forward.

More from U.S. News

Sweden Ranked Best Country to Be an Immigrant

South America’s Progressive Immigration Laws Begin to Fray

Economic Statistics Suggest Immigration Is a Boost to the U.S. Economy

Why I Became an American Citizen originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Three popular restaurant chains post layoff notices for nearly 3,000 in Maryland

Weather service confirms that tornado hit Caroline County, Md.

Kansas City beats San Francisco, 31-20, to win Super Bowl 54