by Thea Khat
“I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,” myself and a few others were reciting this American creed in front of a judge. We were on our way to becoming United States citizen. The process was terribly long and it was all worth the little paper saying we were citizens. I never dreamed of ever being a citizen here, because my life was going so wrong. My father had just died of a brain aneurysm. I was preparing to go to college in the fall and I had an alien registration card saying that I was a permanent resident. That was good enough for anything. My father had mention that he wanted us to all become citizens because he watched on the news how some Mexicans were being transported back to Mexico upon entering the United States. He thought that would happen to us one day. I wanted to follow his wishes.
For one to become a citizen, they have to fill out a petition stating why they want to become a citizen. They then filled out many applications, and pay over 500 dollars to the INS. A local agency helped with this process. It was at the Catholic Center; the nun who was in charge was Sister Ruth Ann Walker. She helped me through this long process. All I had to do was the paper work and she supplied me with the questionnaire, which was asked during the testing. She told me to study these 100 questions; INS would only pick twenty to ask. She said that INS would contact me in a few months.
A few months passed, I received a letter from the INS, it stated that they received my petition and wanted me to come down for an interview. I was so excited; I had been working so hard to memorize these 100 questions, and finally I could show off my hard work. The nearest INS headquarters was in Kansas City, Missouri. I went onto Map Quest over the Internet and found directions and my mother, sister, and little brother and I were on our way. As I was driving, my mother and sister would take turns asking me questions to refresh my memory. I don't know why we had to learn all these; I don't recall ever having to know all of these in any of my social studies classes in high school.
When we arrived, there were many people in front of the INS building camping out. It looked like they were waiting to purchase N'SYNC's concert tickets. I predicted they didn't want to be late for their interview and miss out on an opportunity for another type of freedom. We were waiting for many hours, finally they called my name. My mother suggested that we pray to the great Buddha for guidance, for I would be the first to become a citizen in my family and grant my father’s wish.
The office was separated into many smaller work stations, which seemed as big as a walk in closet. The INS officer who was assigned to interview me said that he would ask three sections of questions. As I sat there waiting for him to asked me the questions, my palms wouldn't stop sweating, my mind was thinking the most bizarre thoughts on how I would disappoint my family if I didn't pass.
“State your name,” the officer asked.
“Thea Khat,” I said. Why did he ask me this question? He knew who I was.
“What is your address?” he asked.
“1500 West Grand apartment W-4,” I answered.
“When is your birth date and where were you born?” he asked.
“I was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, September 18, 1979,” I stated.
“Congratulations Miss. Khat, you just passed your oral test. I can tell that you can speak English well,” he said.
He then asked me to write a few sentences down. This is the part of the test that he would know if I could write in English, which I showed him with no difficulty. He said the next test I had to answer verbally. He said the questions are random for each interview.
“Who was the 17th president?” he asked.
“Andrew Johnson,” I said with a smile.
“Who wrote the Declaration of Independent?” he questioned.
“Thomas Jefferson,” I said. He followed with 18 more questions.
After the interview he told me that I had passed, missing by only one question. I had to tell him what the 1st 13 colonies. I only listed 11. I'm not mad; I had questioned some of my American friends and they couldn't tell me at all. He congratulated me, and escorted me to another room where I had my fingerprints and picture taken. He said that I should receive another letter in a few months to tell me when the Naturalization ceremony would be held. As I walked back to the waiting room, I looked at my mother who was waiting patiently. I knew her anticipation would be nerve wrecking; I wanted to play a trick on her.
“Mom, I didn't pass,” I said as I shook my head no. I saw the looked of disappointment in her face. I knew that she had her hopes up so high. She had faith, that I would pass this test.
“Thea it's ok, you have two more tries,” she said.
“Just kidding, Mom I only missed one; I didn't get all of the 13 colonies.” I burst out laughing. “I just wanted to play a joke on you.” She looked at me like a big weight had been lifting off her chest.
A few months later I took another trip to Kansas City, Missouri. I arrived as a legal permanent alien, and left an American citizen. I had granted my father’s wish, I was a citizen, and I wouldn't be deported. I felt really good that I had had the chance to make my mother proud. As I was there, in front of the judge, I was sworn in, along with the other lucky individuals who had made it. I felt proud to put my right hand over my chest.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States Of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” we all said, while some had tears running down there checks.
“Congratulations, presenting the new citizens of America,” the judge announced as he dismissed us. I was now a US citizen.
