A friend was naturalized yesterday. At the oath ceremony, newly-minted US citizens received this poignant letter from @POTUS.
I welled up reading it and am sharing it here. pic.twitter.com/7LErXDaRee— Catherine Rampell (@crampell) May 21, 2024
Joe Biden knows better than most that terrible things happen, even to good people…
… And sometimes, the most courageous statement is “I will try again, tomorrow”.
Another friend said that when her husband was naturalized during the Trump admin, he did not receive any welcome letter from the president. Don't know whether that was an oversight, or if it was the case for all people naturalized in that era. https://t.co/Rk3x3oqIqj
— Catherine Rampell (@crampell) May 21, 2024
I’ve attended a few naturalization ceremonies. Not because I knew any of the participants, but because I find them so inspiring. Thanks for posting the letter — I’d never actually seen one.
— mistergizmo (@mistergizmo) May 21, 2024
brantl
It’s hard to believe that we went from Trump to Biden in one term. Usually it takes a while to build up to the good stuff; this time it was -40 to 120 in 3 seconds. Damn, he’s good. I keep wondering when Joe won’t be able to top himself, but my family doesn’t live a long time
terraformer
What a great letter! It might seem quaint, but reading that kind of thing helps me keep going on sometimes.
In comparison, I can only imagine how quickly whatever government service traditionally creates and distributes these letters was immediately shuttered/unfunded when the former Admin took office
raven
my Colombian friend is a bit iffy on this here America stuff.
Ishiyama
My snarky Immigration Lawyer brain always hears the swearing in of new citizens as: “You are now a citizen of the United States. You may join the Communist Party, use drugs, and live off the earnings of a prostitute without fear of being barred from the country”.
mali muso
Hubby naturalized during the Obama years in a super cool ceremony held on July 4 at Monticello. I think he had a similar letter in his document packet at the event. It was a time when we actually did feel proud to be American.
Chet Murthy
I was naturalized at age 17 in Fort Worth (or maybe Dallas?) TX in 1982. I remember nothing about it, except that it was in a small office, and there was nothing special about it. No real “ceremony” other than the swearing of the Oath of Naturalization. I’m really glad that others’ experience is different.
schrodingers_cat
My naturalization ceremony was on the 4th of July at the Old Sturbridge Village in 2017. I had written an essay about it which AL frontpaged. I got a handmade mug made at the Village along with the flag and my naturalization certificate. It was a perfect day in July. And no I didn’t get a letter from Mr. Orange.
For all intents and purposes I felt pretty American, naturalization was like tying the knot after a long live-in relationship
RSA
Not a letter, but apparently Presidents may record a message to be played during a naturalization ceremony. From 2017:
O. Felix Culpa
I’ve been to several naturalization ceremonies, and was each time surprised by how moving they were. There’s something beautiful about all those people from different nations all around the globe, choosing to become Americans. Hokey, but true.
Omnes Omnibus
Federal judges who do naturalizations frequently say that it is one of their favorite things to do. Everyone there is a winner and everyone is happy.
rikyrah
This is why I love Mychal the Librarian, even though I have never met him.
Got me 😭😭😭😭
His heart is so kind
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTLsxC1ca/
Tom Levenson
My cousin is a federal magistrate judge and he presides over naturalization ceremonies, some of which take place in Faneuil Hall, which he says is the coolest ever.
schrodingers_cat
@Omnes Omnibus: It was pretty cool. There were people from 57 countries getting naturalized the day I became a citizen.
Omnes Omnibus
@schrodingers_cat: IIRC there were 30 some countries represented at my ex’s naturalization.
Steve in the ATL
@Tom Levenson: “welcome to America—here’s your new, awful accent!”
NotMax
Mom relates the story of an interview prior to naturalization.
She was asked “How many stripes on the American flag?” Which she didn’t know the answer to.
The way she tells, it, noticed a flag on the wall behind the desk of the interviewer and did some quick counting.
schrodingers_cat
Art break: From my sketchbook, using the idea of negative space, watercolor pencils on mixed media paper by Strathmore.
cain
@Chet Murthy: I was naturalized in 1994 at 25. I remember for the most part. I was the only one there, my family didn’t come and so for me it was just do this thing and left. My father made me give up my Indian citizenship – I didn’t want to. He told me India will always be in your heart, but this country nurtured you from a child to adult, its values are yours.
A month later, I left the country with a brand new U.S. passport and spent 3 months in Ireland working for Guinness which would have not been possible with my Indian passport. :D
NotMax
@Steve in the ATL
A Noo Yawk take.
:)
geg6
We just sent our dear Koda over the rainbow bridge. We’re pretty broken up over it but it was time. I always think of her as our Balloon Juice girl. I first saw her on a rescue post here and fell in love, but she was in Santa Monica and we’re in Pittsburgh. But the Juicers did what they always do…stepped up, raised the funds to fly her to us and I couldn’t be more grateful. That was twelve years ago and Koda has been a joy every day. She was the best dog, loving rides and frisbee almost as much as she loved food. She was patient and always kind to Lovey (our other BJ pup and Thurston’s sister) who can be a bit much. And she even got to meet John Cole twice! There will never be another like her. 🐾💔
zhena gogolia
@geg6: I remember when you adopted her. I’m so sorry — she felt your love every day.
schrodingers_cat
@geg6: I am so sorry. They leave such huge pawprints on our hearts.
cain
@schrodingers_cat:
Yeah it was for me. I was pretty Hoosier. I grew up like a damn 1960s child – the beginnings bits of “Stranger Things” was my life – riding around in my bike with friends going all over the neighborhood.
I had a paper route, raised, and folded the flag every day in elementary school, at 10 years old. But I did a lot of Indian things as well – but definitely a lot of code switching as a kid.
schrodingers_cat
@cain: For all BJP’s lip service to the diaspora, they didn’t do a damn thing to allow dual citizenship. They just see the diaspora as a cash cow.
cain
@geg6: :( :( :( sending lots of love to Koda on her journey. I think this is the first time I’ve heard of a death of a critter from our pet bleg posts.
cain
@schrodingers_cat: I would have loved that. I can see it being a double edged sword.
Steeplejack
My report from my Brazilian brother-in-law’s citizenship ceremony in July 2017. Nothing Trump at all. Think he might have gotten a letter from Obama in his packet.
ETA: Won’t open in a new tab, since it’s a Balloon Juice thread. You’ll have to backspace into this thread when you’re done.
jnfr
My husband naturalized around 2004 – he had lived here since ’95 and =really= wanted to vote against Geo. Bush. I don’t recall any letter, but he was happy that there was a voter registration desk right there.
Steve in the ATL
@Omnes Omnibus:
Song for you
jnfr
@geg6:
I am sorry for your loss, but so happy you had those years together. Give Lovey some extra hugs.
schrodingers_cat
@Steeplejack: IIRC my letter was from the USCIS administrator. I also naturalized in 2017.
schrodingers_cat
@cain: Oh yeah, we would see white and white adjacent leftists tarring Indian Americans with the Modi brush. Even without dual citizenship I got called a fascist in the comments here, because some of my family voted for Modi.
Liminal Owl
@geg6: I’m so sorry. Koda sounds like such a love. 💕
Nora
We used to have an English as a Second Language class downstairs from the library where I work, and I remember how all the students in that class came upstairs to our gallery to watch Obama’s first inauguration, and even the most cynical people among us got a little teary at the sight.
EarthWindFire
@geg6: RIP, Balloon Juice girl. Thanks to Koda for all the joy she gave you. Much love.
geg6
@zhena gogolia:
I wish Water Girl could use her magic powers and find the picture of her from that post. Cutest thing ever.
Chet Murthy
@cain:
My immediate family all naturalized at the same time. We also sent in our Indian passports, gave up Indian citizenship. At the time, it seemed the natural thing: I’d lived in the US since age 4, only left it for two summer vacations. I felt completely American. I used to sneer at people who kept other citizenships: I would say that I was “American”, not a hyphenated-American.
Stupid me. Stupid, stupid me. They were smart, knowing that you need to keep your options open, while I was stupid and committed completely to America.
Well, I guess in November I’ll find out how stupid I really was.
I renewed my passport recently, so worst comes to worst, I can get outta the country and demand asylum someplace. Though I guess more likely is I’d travel around on a tourist visa while my savings lasted
P.S. I have a young relative, whom I tried to convince to learn a European language (other than English). B/c it gives you options. She knows some Mandarin, but …. who would want to flee *to* China ? Sigh, she wasn’t convinced. I guess she believes in her American birthright. I hope she’s right. For all our sake.
rivers
I became a citizen within a couple of months of Jimmy Carter becoming president and I was so happy that someone I admired was president at that moment. The very moving ceremony was in a Brooklyn courthouse and there seemed to be hundreds of people. Everyone was so filled with joy – I felt as if we all believed in an America that was newly possible after the years of Nixon and Ford. It was just the way I felt when Obama became president. Little did we know what lay ahead.
CaseyL
@geg6: I am so sorry!
I don’t remember who said this, but it is always in my mind when my animals get old: “Animals don’t know how long they’ve lived; they only know how well they’ve lived.”
You gave a Koda a wonderful life. I hope knowing that is of some comfort.
Dorothy A. Winsor
My favorite naturalization story was of a colleague becoming a naturalized Canadian. He was English but swore allegiance to the queen, to whom, as he said, he was already allegiant. But it took place in a Chinese restaurant.
raven
@geg6:We who choose to surround ourselves
with lives even more temporary than our
own, live within a fragile circle;
easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps,
we would still live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only
certain immortality, never fully
understanding the necessary plan.
— Irving Townsend
Steeplejack
@schrodingers_cat:
Very nice. Could be pleasing wallpaper on an accent wall.
Steeplejack
@geg6:
Deepest condolences. 🌈🐾
Chat Noir
@geg6: I am so sorry. I remember when you got her. I understand how hard it is when the universe calls them back. You will always have a dog-shaped hole in your heart but with time, it will get a little easier to remember her without the enormous pain.
Central Planning
I learned about this organization recently: https://www.citizenshipcoalition.org
To me, this sounds like a fun volunteering job. I just need to make the time for it. It’s all virtual so location doesn’t matter.
schrodingers_cat
@Central Planning: I helped a few people with their tests, in person. Its a pretty easy test. I will check out this organization.
Ramona
I got naturalized during the first GWB admin. No letter but a pre-recorded television address fwom that wascally W!
Sure Lurkalot
@geg6: Au revoir, Koda, you lived your best life with your peeps who love you then, now and always.
Peale
One of the worst things that has happened in politics has been the widespread adoption of the right wing frame that wants to talk about immigration in terms of crime to the exclusion of anything else. And because the Democratic position isn’t “DEPORT THEM. DON’T LET THEM HAVE SEX AND BABIES AND GIVE THEM ANY REASON TO STAY.” we end up being perceived as somehow wanted to overturn the entire immigration system. I mean, if the GOP position is “NOT ONE MORE IMMIGRANT” then the Democratic position must be “Everyone come in all at once.” There’s more to talk about than the undocumented, and naturalization is one of those processes.
The GOP is lying right now when they say they are only talking about “illegal immigration”. You only arrive at their numbers of deportees if you include lots of people who are here legally. When they say “No citizenship if you’ve ever received welfare and by welfare, we mean unemployment or workers comp and that check the government sent everyone during COVID” they are stating very clearly that they plan to interfere with the naturalization process. When they say that they plan to end “birthright citizenship” they don’t mean “for undocumented immigrants” but basically any legal resident who happens to not want to wait 5 years to start a family. For them, naturalized citizens sponsoring their relatives is just “chain migration” and those children are “anchor babies” and not real children, and immigrants who want to reunite with family members should just go home. Stephen Miller openly talks about the need for ending naturalization and making denaturalization a policy.
Its not us who wants to destroy the immigration system, its them. Yet, somehow, its the liberals who get portrayed as inflexible weirdos for thinking “you know, people actually are more stable when they have families to support them, so maybe family reunification should remain one of the objectives of our immigration policy.” or “While we don’t want to force group membership on anyone, but maybe the naturalization process shouldn’t be so intimidating or expensive because becoming a citizen should be the goal of the immigration process and there should be fewer impediments in that area.”
rekoob
Ken White writes movingly about attending a naturalization event roughly 32 years ago:
https://popehat.substack.com/p/the-fourth-of-july
A Reagan appointee, here’s more on Judge Lew:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_S._W._Lew
Peale
@Central Planning: When my partner was preparing for his exam, he wouldn’t let me tutor him. I kind of forget that the point is to learn the answers and not provide the reasons and look at the bigger picture. “Well, actually, there’s an interesting story behind that question…” If I tutored, we’d end up having 100 sessions and only get through 5 questions.
Soprano2
I’m so pissed at my husband right now. I waited 45 minutes for him to finally say no, he didn’t want to go eat. I told him I wish he wouldn’t lie to me by saying he wants to go when he doesn’t. As far as I’m concerned it’s lying, because he knows he doesn’t want to go. I think he believes if he says yes I’ll go away and leave him alone. He’s been home all day but complained that he couldn’t get any peace because I asked him again if he wanted to go! I hope none of you ever have to deal with this.
schrodingers_cat
@Peale: Getting the greencard is the difficult part, naturalization is easier than that.
schrodingers_cat
@Soprano2: Do you have help dealing with this? Like a home health aide?
Soprano2
@schrodingers_cat: I have one who started this week, but she comes 4 hours a day 3 days a week. I wish I could have 24 hour help.
Steve in the ATL
@Soprano2:
Did you copy/paste that from my wife’s blog?
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@geg6:
So sorry about Koda. It sounds like you gave her many happy years being apart of your family
Mike in NC
@geg6: Condolences.
Soprano2
@Steve in the ATL: No. 🤣🤣
geg6
Thanks all. Been a tough evening. The in home process and vet were a comfort. She left us in her favorite spot with her favorite blanket and surrounded by love. Even Lovey was licking her ears. I’m ready to hit the sack. I’m exhausted.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
OT: Earlier today there was incredible and violent tornado that struck the town of Greenfield in southwest Iowa.
From storm chaser Reed Timmer, Prescott, IA tornado (that later strikes Greenfield) destroys windmill farm
Also from Reed Timmer, multiple clearly visible vortices spotted rotating around center of twister
Drone footage of Greenfield, Iowa afterwards
Keeping the people of Greenfield in my thoughts tonight
KrackenJack
KrackenJill was naturalized back in the Obama admin. It was a mass event at a local theater. Very moving. I can’t claim to have tutored her – she studied the questions and I quizzed her. She thought it was a bait an switch operation when we got TFG right after that.
laura
@geg6: please accept this virtual hug with the hope that it provides comfort as you experience the Koda-sized hole in the universe of your heart. I hope that you and Your John feel the warmth of her being before the sadness of her absence.
bookworm1398
I don’t recall getting a letter from Clinton, wonder if this is a new thing?
I do remember the speech the judge gave- he said being a good citizen of the US is difficult because you will be asked to vote on a couple of hundred things a year. And a good citizen studies and casts a knowledgeable vote on each one. I often think of that when seeing how many people don’t vote or don’t check the issues before voting.
To be fair to voters, I also feel that it’s getting harder to get information about candidates. In last years school board elections the two people’s websites said almost the same thing although they had some big differences on book bans, masks and an ongoing lawsuit. But I knew this only through word of mouth from PTA meetings. There was really no other way for a voter to choose so it’s not surprising the turnout was low and leaned towards more affluent parents.
Sister Golden Bear
@geg6: I’m so sorry. May Koda live on in your memories.
Steeplejack
@bookworm1398:
It’s getting harder, in a lot of cases, to even find out the candidates’ party affiliation. It has almost vanished from yard signs and is often hard to find even on the main pages of their websites. It seems to be less of a thing with Democrats, but the Republicans sure seem like they want to fly under the radar.
Ken
I’ve noticed that too. They remind me somewhat of the SEO (search engine optimization) that gets pasted into so many web pages — here are ten focus-group-tested terms that will attract voters.
Soprano2
@geg6: We used the travelling vet when we had to say goodbye to Nitro in February. She was wonderful, she made the process easier and less traumatic. I’m sorry for your loss, that’s hard.
Another Scott
@geg6: Condolences to you and yours. Remember all the good times.
Best wishes,
Scott.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Steeplejack:
I’ve noticed that too where I live, in a reddish-purple area. Almost like they know their party is damaged goods to many voters
Soprano2
@Steeplejack: I certainly see that here on the part of Republicans, which is odd because they’re dominant around here.
Another Scott
Another good American helping to make things better. APNews.com:
+1
Cheers,
Scott.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Soprano2:
That IS odd. Makes you wonder why they would even bother trying to hide party affiliation
Soprano2
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): I saw that on the local news. They said it might be as bad as the Joplin tornado, whoo boy that’s bad. 🙀🙀
Soprano2
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): I agree, it is odd. My husband noticed it several years ago. Would make more sense if Democrats did it here.
Jackie
@geg6: I’m so sorry! Even when we’re expecting it and then know it’s time, it’s still gut-wrenching. Be at peace knowing you gave Koda as much love and happiness as she gave you. {hugs}
Give Lovey extra loves. She’s no doubt grieving, too.
rekoob
@geg6: Adding my condolences. Koda was lucky to have you.
Elizabelle
@geg6: Oh no. Condolences to you. Koda loved her life with you, John and Lovey.
Hugs, geg. I am so sorry. They do not live long enough.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Soprano2:
It’s probably one of the worst tornados in quite some time. Some homes were completely slabbed. The worst part about these powerful violent tornados is that when it comes to direct hits, there’s not a lot you can do unless you have either an underground storm shelter or an officially rated above ground one. Even typical basements aren’t completely safe, though of course better than nothing. The entire house above can be swept off the foundation, leaving the basement exposed to the tornado above. In the 2008 Parkersburg-New Hartford EF5 tornado several people sheltering in their basements who were directly hit were sucked out or killed by the insane winds/flying debris. Sadly, you can do everything right according to the advice of experts and still not make it. It’s no guarantee
frosty
@Chet Murthy: @schrodingers_cat: My adopted sons only got their naturalization certificates. No letter, no ceremony, nada. They were (I think) 2 and 6 when we did the paperwork so they wouldn’t have known anything about it. But I would have liked to stand with them during a ceremony.
wjca
This sounds amazingly like my boss. If your mother was a math professor, I’m working for your sister. It’s amazing what a small world we all live in.
TEL
@schrodingers_cat: Lovely picture! I love the colors and leaves.
rebelsdad (aka texasboyshaun)
@geg6: Oh Geg, I’m so sorry. She was deeply loved, and she knew it, too. I’ll ask Rebel to show her around Heaven.
Old School
@geg6:
I think this is probably what you are looking for.
Origuy
I used to find out about the local candidates from the San Jose Mercury News and the weekly Metro. The Murky was left of center and the Metro was your typical left-wing tabloid. Neither seem to be doing endorsements anymore except for the candidates I’d already made up my mind on. It was useful because they would often meet with the candidates and at least cull out the crazies.
Manyakitty
@schrodingers_cat: I love that you got a special mug. Something about that made me tear up a little bit. So very glad you’re here.
Manyakitty
@geg6: so very sorry to hear about Koda. 💔
Matt McIrvin
@bookworm1398: I think the sheer number of offices and questions we vote on in the US is paradoxically a barrier to public participation in democracy. It’s many more things than are put to the vote in most democratic countries, and in some of these elections few people vote. And it’s hard to find relevant information sometimes, especially for things like School Board elections where stealth campaigns by extremists do happen.
(“A couple of hundred” sounds like California– it’s not nearly that many for me.)
Baud
@Matt McIrvin:
I agree. I think maybe having retention elections may be a good compromise. A check on appointed officials that go to far out of the lines.
wjca
@Baud:
I would say regular elections for those who make policy decions. Retention decisions for those who primarily implement those policies.
Thus no reason for regular elections for county controller, sheriff, etc. But keep them for county supervisors, school boards (sorry), town council, etc.
In a similar vein, the number of Federal officials currently requiring Senate approval is ridiculous. In addition to cutting way back on those, it would be worthwhile to give the Senate a deadline to bring any nominee still requiring approval to a floor vote. Anyone who the Senate hasn’t gotten around being deemed confirmed. Yes, including judges all the way up to the Supreme Court.
gene108
@Chet Murthy:
OMG!
Just like my citizenship ceremony.
My brother and I did it in Charlotte, NC. I was 13. lived in Cary. Left at 5:00 am and mom drove the 3.5 hours to Charlotte to get there when the INS office opened.
We were the last people there before being called into an office and sworn in by an immigration officer.
So much boredom waiting 8 hours.
My mom naturalized in 1984. We were living in Ann Arbor when she filed her papers. She was transferred to Houston in August.
She got a notice she had to go back to Michigan to be sworn in. Reagan led her swearing ceremony at Cobo Arena in Detroit that October.