It's the Thought that Matters

On Tuesday, March 16 at the USCIS building in Montgomery, Alabama Maribel successfully passed her citizenship interview. She was told that she would be notified of the date and location of the Oath Ceremony, which completes the process. The notification arrived a week later, indicating that we had to return to Montgomery on April 1st at 9:50 AM for the ceremony. The letter stated that because the Oath Ceremony is a serious event appropriate dress should be worn. 

We were there at the appointed time and were directed to drive behind the building where there were two rows of cars. At the head of the lines we could see people standing outside of their cars, with right hand raised and presumably taking the oath. It was cold and windy - a storm had gone through the previous night followed by a cold front. The oath was administered to groups of six. When our turn came I drove the car forward as directed. As Maribel (that's her in the far center with white mask) stood next to the car, hair blowing and the paper in her hand flapping in the wind I started taking pictures. There was a staff of five, all dressed in jeans, hoodies and baseball caps. They took turns administering the oath. 

I couldn't help but ponder the moment. The attendees were informed to dress appropriately for the 'formal occasion', which it is or should be, because these people are about to become citizens of the greatest country in the world, and yet they're taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America in a cold and windy parking lot and being sworn in by people dressed as popcorn vendors at a baseball game. 

But the bottom line is that she is a United States citizen, and the years of waiting and the mountain of documents accumulated over many months to prove to immigration her eligibility for citizenship is behind us. 

Yesterday morning we were at the post office bright and early to submit Maribel's application for a passport. We were told that normal processing time is ten months but we could pay an additional fee which could mean we'll receive the passport in from three weeks to three months. In the meantime we can't travel internationally until that passport arrives. 

I am proud of Maribel's accomplishment as are her friends and family. We wanted a nice celebration but because of the pandemic will have several mini-celebrations. We began last night with our friends Marge and Jim. Because of Covid we haven't been face to face in over a year. It was great to see them again.

One final ironic thought...a large part of my personal satisfaction coming with Maribel's citizenship is that when her passport arrives I will finally be done dealing with immigration. But in checking my own documents I noticed that my Peruvian passport expires next month. So one day soon we'll be visiting the Peruvian Consulate in Atlanta to renew it. More forms, more money, and more time in an immigration office.