“I saw every possible race and nationality represented in that room coming from all over the world. Everyone was crying with joy, cheering and I was sitting there up until this point taking this entire experience and opportunity for granted.”

— George Stroumboulis

♫ Proud to be an American♫ (and a Canadian and a Greek)!

So, I’m a Greek-Canadian citizen that was living in New York City for over a decade. I was here on a work visa and then an H1B, so I was golden and legally happy.

MARRIED AN AMERICAN…

I met my wife in New York and we ended up getting married. During this time, I’m still traveling with my Canadian passport and she is traveling with her US passport around the world. No worries. Life was fine. Then we started pumping out kids… we have our first child, we have our second child. Then it becomes difficult to travel with different passports.

The ego in me was like, I don't need the US passport. I love this country, I respect the country and its people but I don't need to be an American. But traveling with my kids under different passports was difficult when entering different countries related to customs.

HOW HARD WAS THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

So, I applied for US citizenship under the Trump Administration and literally within months, I get the notification that I am going to be sworn in at the Los Angeles Convention Center to become an American citizen. The night before the ceremony I told my wife, ‘hey, tomorrow morning I need to be in LA for 5:00AM to be sworn in…”

She's like, “sworn in for what?” I go, “oh, I’m getting my US citizenship and tomorrow is the official ceremony”. She starts freaking out in a good way telling me how important and amazing this is and we all have to go together to experience this.

I’m like, “it's not a big deal, I’m going to get that paper, get the passport and be done with it”. My mindset was, I am coming from a 1st world nation and it is not a big deal to be receiving this American citizenship.

11,000 PEOPLE IN A ROOM

Anyways, we arrive to the Convention Center and there are 6,000 soon-to-be Americans being sworn in and there are 5,000 guests there for their family members. A total of 11,000 people in this massive space celebrating this achievement.

During the ceremony, I am looking around at all the people waiting to be sworn in. Every face said a story, every person with a struggle or a triumph. The minute they start playing the US National Anthem and we all rise, I got instant chills running through my body. I saw every possible race and nationality represented in that room coming from all over the world. Everyone was crying with joy, cheering and I was sitting there up until this point taking this entire experience and opportunity for granted.

I WON, I WON!

I quickly snapped out of that and embraced this experience. Everyone was cheering like we won the World Cup. High fiving each other, smiling all around and sharing in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Becoming a citizen of the United States of America. Wow!

I love where I’m from and I respect my cultures that helped mold who I am today. But that being said, I took for granted how incredible this country is and what life it has allowed me to achieve and live thus far.

Proud (new) American Citizen!

INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN AMERICAN CITIZEN? Make sure to visit the USCIS website for detailed information. https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/apply-for-citizenship

Waiting for the ceremony to start at the Los Angeles Convention Center. 6,000 people waiting to be sworn in under the American Flag.

In addition to my citizenship paper, I received a paper flag that still is displayed in my office.

My daughter, Dimitra, came to the ceremony with her Canadian Roots shirt to support me. She wanted us to remember where we are from and to applaud where we are going. Priceless moment.

Grabbing an American lunch after becoming an American citizen with my two daughters at the time, Dimitra and Viviana.

Family photo for the 1st time as American all around. My wife making this a special day for me and us.

Nothing but love from the most precious kids I could ever ask for.

HOW TO BECOME AN AMERICAN CITIZEN

Becoming an American citizen involves a process called naturalization. Here are the general steps to follow:

Determine Eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria to apply for U.S. citizenship. Generally, you must be at least 18 years old, have been a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for a specific period of time (usually 5 years, but it can be shorter in certain circumstances), and meet other requirements such as continuous residence and good moral character.
Prepare Form N-400: Complete Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization, which is available on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. Gather the required supporting documents, such as your green card, identification documents, and any other requested evidence.
Submit the Application: Submit your completed Form N-400 along with the required documents to USCIS. Pay the necessary filing fees unless you qualify for a fee waiver. Keep a copy of your application for your records.
Attend Biometrics Appointment: After submitting your application, you will receive a notice for a biometrics appointment. Attend the appointment to provide your fingerprints, photograph, and signature for background checks.
Attend the Naturalization Interview: USCIS will schedule an interview to review your application and test your knowledge of English and civics. Prepare for the interview by studying the provided study materials, which cover U.S. history, government, and the English language.
Take the Naturalization Test: During the naturalization interview, you will be tested on your English language proficiency and your knowledge of U.S. civics. The English test assesses your speaking, reading, and writing abilities. The civics test evaluates your understanding of U.S. history, government, and key principles.
Receive a Decision: Following the interview and naturalization test, USCIS will provide a decision on your application. If approved, you may receive an oath ceremony date. If denied, you have the option to appeal the decision.
Attend the Oath Ceremony: If your application is approved, attend the oath ceremony to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. At this point, you will become a U.S. citizen and receive your Certificate of Naturalization.
Update Records and Obtain a U.S. Passport: Update your records with government agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, to reflect your new citizenship status. Apply for a U.S. passport, which will serve as your primary proof of citizenship for international travel.

Please note that these steps are a general guideline, and the process may vary in specific cases or due to changes in immigration laws. It's advisable to consult the USCIS website or seek guidance from an immigration attorney or authorized immigration service provider for personalized advice and assistance throughout the naturalization process.