This story is a part of a venture referred to as Democracy Day, wherein newsrooms throughout the nation are shining a lightweight on threats to democracy. 

LINCOLN — Coming to the USA from one other nation and turning into a citizen is usually a lengthy and tough course of, however the journey comes with rewarding advantages of collaborating in American democracy.

Felipe Blanco, a present Ph.D. candidate on the College of Nebraska at Omaha, mentioned he got here right here from Mexico in “essentially the most privileged means doable.” 

Blanco, who’s 41, grew up in a household that was large on schooling. His mom was a college professor, and his father was a public officer for Mexico’s secretary of schooling. 

“We weren’t wealthy or something like that,” Blanco mentioned. “However my mother and father had been extra center class.” 

Blanco didn’t initially see himself immigrating to the U.S. and turning into a citizen. He mentioned he lived a fairly comfy life and would have been in a position to pursue a profitable profession in Mexico. Nonetheless, that modified when he studied overseas on the College of Texas at Austin for a semester in graduate faculty for a level in public administration and coverage. That was the place he met his spouse, Vanessa Martinez. 

After graduating, the couple moved to Mexico Metropolis. Then, 5 years later, they determined to maneuver again to the USA to be nearer to Martinez’s household in Lincoln. 

Dinorah Garcia, a Lincoln radio host  who was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, mentioned she additionally had the chance to pursue schooling in her hometown. Garcia described Monterrey as a cosmopolitan metropolis with a number of universities. Garcia graduated from school with a level in worldwide relations, and her husband is an engineering graduate. 

“We got here to the U.S. 15 years in the past below vacationer visas,” Garcia mentioned. “We then had the chance to get work permits.”

Turning into a citizen

Yearly, greater than 1 million folks immigrate to the USA, in accordance with a 2020 Pew Analysis examine. Roughly 800,000 apply for citizenship. 

For Garcia, it was a little bit of a tradition shock working in the USA. Each she and her husband had white-collar jobs in Monterrey, however her first job right here was as a cleaner, and her husband labored as a dishwasher. 

Blanco and Garcia each expressed appreciation for coming to the USA. Nonetheless, moments of frustration would come up as they waited for his or her citizenship functions to course of. 

Since Blanco was married to a U.S. citizen, he mentioned, his course of was comparatively fast, despite the fact that it took 5 years. Nonetheless, there have been additionally moments of “humiliation” that stemmed from proving the legitimacy of his marriage. 

How do you show your love for somebody when it’s not a tangible factor, he requested. Each time Blanco and his spouse would meet with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Providers employees, they must present up to date documentation to assist the legitimacy of their marriage, akin to textual content messages, emails, pictures, financial institution statements, life insurance coverage insurance policies, retirement accounts, and so forth. 

It took Garcia and her household seven years to have the ability to apply for U.S. citizenship. She grew to become a citizen in August 2021, and her husband grew to become one two months later. Since Garcia’s daughter was a minor, she assumed her mom’s citizenship standing, however Garcia’s son was older, so he needed to take the check on his personal.

“He was very emotional after he handed the check,” Garcia mentioned.

Garcia mentioned her son all the time carried out effectively at school and is now learning engineering on the College of Nebraska-Lincoln. Turning into a citizen meant he might lastly qualify for scholarships for which he was initially ineligible.

On Jan. 5, 2021, Blanco handed the oral citizenship examination. On such events, new residents sometimes participate in a small ceremony, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and receiving  an envelope with a small American flag and a letter from the president. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, although, it was simply Blanco and a Citizenship and Immigration Providers officer on the ceremony, however he mentioned he felt joyful and relaxed. 

“It’s like operating a marathon, and also you lastly make it to the tip,” Blanco mentioned. “You’re lastly formally allowed to be a part of this neighborhood.” 

The very subsequent day, the assault on the U.S. Capitol occurred. Blanco mentioned he was in full disbelief at what occurred. 

“I’m joyful to be a U.S. citizen, and I perceive there are lots of people who don’t even have that likelihood,” Blanco mentioned. “On the similar time (we have to) acknowledge that this nation has lots to do to do higher for a few of us.”

A Poynter.org examine highlighted how divided the USA was, and stays, after the 2020 election cycle. 

Voting for the primary time

The appropriate to vote has advanced over time, starting in 1828, the primary 12 months non-property-holding white males might vote in a presidential election. Congress granted ladies the best to vote on Aug. 18, 1920, by ratifying the nineteenth Modification. Congress modified the minimal age to vote from 21 to 18 by ratifying the twenty sixth Modification on July 1, 1971. 

The primary time Garcia might vote after turning into a U.S. citizen was in Nebraska’s Could 10 major election this 12 months. She researched all of the candidates to see who aligned greatest along with her concepts, values and beliefs. 

Together with her checklist of her chosen candidates in hand, Garcia and her husband walked into Lincoln Southwest Excessive Faculty to vote throughout his lunch break. Garcia mentioned she felt like she was ready to assist in giving a voice to the unvoiced by casting her poll that day. 

“I used to be so excited,” Garcia mentioned. “However the one factor I want I noticed was extra younger voters that day.”

Blanco voted for the primary time in 2021, throughout Lincoln’s April 6 major election on the Faculty View precinct.

“I went with my spouse, and we requested if we might take photos because it was my first time voting,” Blanco mentioned. “The volunteers all clapped for me and thanked me for coming to vote, so it was very good.” 

Shifting ahead, Garcia mentioned she feels extra educated on points and sees youthful generations turning into extra educated and motivated to vote. 

“I’m hopeful,” Garcia mentioned. 

Blanco expressed concern about the place American democracy goes and the work it must do to enhance. 

“Some folks imagine that a part of being an American is believing that that is an distinctive nation and has no flaws,” Blanco mentioned. “For my part, criticizing your nation isn’t unhealthy when you’re doing it in good religion to attempt to make it a greater place for everybody.”