On Wednesday Oct 23rd, my mom attended the U.S. Naturalization Ceremony and took her Citizenship oath. After 25 years in this country she would finally be considered an “official” citizen of the country she has created a life in. My mom came to the US at the age of 18 and was undocumented for 15 years. After years of hard work and saving up money she was able to get her residency and then finally decided to apply for citizenship, after 9 years. Having citizenship meant a way for her apa to someday return to the US, a legalized document that no matter if laws changed she will now be considered an official piece of the US, and lastly, the fulfillment of a longing “dream”. With tears in her eyes, she explained to me how this little certificate had little importance on becoming an “American” but instead it served as proof that after long years, she had achieved some recognition of belonging and would now be seen as everyone else (on some level).
The overall ceremony was an interesting experience for me. There were a total of 3,177 people, all with different backgrounds,experiences, and stories, there becoming legalized American citizens. The first thing that caught my attention was the opening speech. They congratulated all the candidates and gave examples of famous, important people who had gone through the naturalization process before them. From about 20 of those names, only 1 was from Mexico and of course, it had to be a sexualized female, Salma Hayek. Next there was a video message from President Obama where he welcoming the new Americans and said “now this is officially your country”. This made me think what does that mean? Now you are “officially” worthy to have the title of belonging to this country? That after years of struggle, pain, tears and hard work many of those people gave to this country, it means nothing without this piece of “official” paper. Does this devalue the worth of those who do not have the privilege of having that paper with their names? I found it funny how Obama said that we are all now united by the principles of “equality and liberty”. However, I am sure many of the new Americans experienced otherwise throughout their journey. At the end of the ceremony, I watched all 3,177 individuals from different countries, experiences and stories walk out as new Americans. But in my eyes, walked out as Americans only meant walking into Napantla.
Becoming an American citizen now means adding a new piece to their identity. In my moms case, she continually says, “no soy de aqui porque naci y siempre sere de Mexico pero tampoco soy de alla porque me fui”. She recognizes that she has always been and now “officially” a member of Nepantla, an in betweener of two identities; two countries that have each contributed to her identity. She is conscious that because of the border, a simple line in the dirt recognized by a treaty, her true identity is torn apart and means not fully belonging to one.
As I watched from the audience I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable when I saw so many Americans flags waved in the air especially by children and then my eyes got watery when the song “God bless the U.S.A” started to play.This happened not because I was proud but because I couldn’t relate. This country which I’ve called “home” is something that does not represent me and the lyrics to that song reminded me of that. This country does not recognie MY history, my ancestors contributions nor their struggle and completely dismisses the current issues by immigrants of color. At that moment both my mom and I knew that no matter what, one will always be judged by appearance and therefore will never be considered a “full American”. That even though I was born here and she will now have an official United States passport, we will never truly be “free”. She will always have to carry a paper to prove that she is a citizen because no matter how much explaining she can do, her brown skin, accent, and inability to speak English will convince people otherwise. But who cares about all that right? Because she is now a Natural American...
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