This is real life, folks, so if that stuff is boring, read no further!
I don’t know if a lot of know my story, so I’ll break it down real quick: Moved to WV in 1998. Have been working on becoming a citizen ever since. Have had a LOT of problems getting processed. Both sisters have US citizenship now, I don’t.
Not having a citizenship basically means:
- I can’t travel (no passport) – even flying around in the US requires a passport, which again I don’t have
- I can’t drive (no license)
- I can’t go to college (no federal aid, even though I qualify for everything except citizenship)
- I can’t get a girl ("my mom will pick us up… cause I can’t drive" doesn’t impress the ladies, and trust me I’ve tried!)
- I can’t get a decent career (I’ve got a "work authorization number", but the job opportunities are limited, plus I want to go to school first)
So yeah… life has kind of sucked in that regard.
To make matters worse, a couple weeks ago I got a phone call. Essentially, what has been holding it up is my name, Matthew Richards, is on a FBI Watch list. No kidding. My alter ego is actually wanted for a triple homicide in Canada… kind of scary.
To fight this I had to prove I was missing out on school & job opportunities. Basically, because the FBI took my files from the INS, I wasn’t getting processed. We sent some files proving I’m losing out on my career, and that my paperwork needs to be processed in an expedited manner (supposedly, normal time to clear the FBI is 2-3 years, they’re really behind).
Well, I just got a phone call today that I’ve been awaiting for a long time. Over eight years, now!
I’m an American! My papers went through, and I’ve been accepted. Will have my Green Card (permanent residency) by next week, INS already sent it.
I’m super stoked. Can finally get a driver’s license, get a passport (& travel), get federal aid (go to school), and start a real life. I’ve been wanting to be a citizen for SOOO long, it’s a little crazy to actually realize that, wow, next week I’m finally going have something I’ve wanted in my life for so long. It’s awesome. Super awesome, even.
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