My husband and I will be going to New Orleans on October 4th. He has an immigration appointment on the 5th, and I’m his sponsor so I have to tag along. He has been in America on a worker’s visa for 7 years, so he has not been able to see his family for that long. The immigration officer will interview me and my husband, and he (or she) will ask us a series of questions, to determine if our marriage is a real marriage, which it is :-). Then, if everything goes well and we “pass”, it will take about a month after the interview for him to get his green card.
I am a naturalized citizen, and I feel blessed that I had to experience the immigration process in the United States. Otherwise, I do not think I would have appreciated my citizenship as much as I do now. It’s a long, complicated, annoying process, but totally worth it. My family migrated from Lebanon when I was a year old, so I had to wait until I was eighteen before I could apply for citizenship. One year abroad made me wait such a long time to become what I knew I always was—an American. I’m proud to say that my family and I all came to this country legally with green cards, because that doesn’t happen often. The only thing harder than the immigration process IN America, is the American immigration process over-seas, where you apply at the American embassies. Living here has been a blessing, because we have had better opportunities, and we are more financially stable than our family that is still in Lebanon.
In January, my husband and I will be going to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Bombay, India. YAY! I am so excited. I have always loved traveling, but traveling with my husband is a whole new experience. I am happy we will get to travel together; it will be like a third honeymoon. Also, he has been to a lot more countries than I have, so traveling with him should be tons of fun. My husband grew up in Dubai, which means I couldn’t have picked a better person to go with. Since I am planning on living in Dubai after college, this is the visit that will either make or break my opinion of Dubai life. My in-laws are social people, and I’ve heard they enjoy going out a lot. I really hope I like it there.
Lol, I love your cartoon :) I was born in America, so I never had to go through that process, but I did see my parents get naturalized. I remember the day my dad got his citizenship (after a two year process), and he was so happy that he finally got it after living here for fifteen years. Anyways, I hope it all works out for your husband, and I'm sure it will be a great experience to travel with your husband!
ReplyDeleteThird honeymoon? So y'all have already had two? Lucky! =)
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit envious of your upcoming travels...it sounds like you and your husband will have an awesome experience!
I love your comic strip! My Mother is from Germany and came here with my Father (an
ReplyDeleteArmy man). I remember how difficult it was for her going through the naturalization process. I admire her because she never gave up. I was made in Germany, but born in the U.S.A and am proud to be part of both cultures. I wish you and your husband the best during this process and hope you have a wonderful time in Dubai.
Yes, good luck to your husband!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to visit India...Ireland, first, though!
K. Smith
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