Today my husband becomes a citizen of the United States of America on our son’s 10 month Birthday. This is such a huge moment in our life story together! What a process this has been over the last decade. I have not really talked about it here on My Beautiful Adventures, as there has been nothing but one drama after another and I like to keep my blog as drama-free as possible.
I left the decision up to Lucas as to whether or not he would become a United States citizen. Before I got pregnant, he had yet to make up his mind. He is a proud Argentine who even served in the army by choice. However, the second he became a father, he wanted to have the same citizenship as his son immediately. Thus, the decision was made.
We have faced years and years of frustration, disappointment, and worst of all racism. If you think racism no longer exists in the U.S.A. I dare you to marry someone from another non-caucasion country and you will think again quickly. This journey has definitely created a love/hate relationship between me and my country.
On our way home from a romantic Caribbean getaway, Lucas was detained in a small room and questioned for two hours even though he had a Green Card. I was also detained, because I was furious about the situation and Homeland Security did not want me making a scene. One of the guards said some bigotry things about my husband being Latino. He is so lucky I did not punch him, although sadly his words will always remain in my memory. This is an example of one of countless adversities we have faced along the way.
Do you know what though? Love always wins. Ten long years and $10,000 in government and legal fees could never get in the way of our love. We hope that our tenacity and commitment to each other one day inspires our son to never give up on whatever his heart is set on either!
If you have any questions about fiancé visas, green cards, or applying for United States citizenship please feel free to email me: AndiPerullo@aol.com. I have a lot of helpful advice to share and I highly recommend the lawyer Eric Dean, whom we have used from day one.
A huge accomplishment, and I’m sure you’re not the only ones who have experienced delays, heartache, frustration and, sadly, racism. We’ve discussed our options of becoming citizens of one another’s country, and while Spain’s process would be long, I would be 100% able to claim. We’d considered a green card for him.
Time will tell, but for now, enjoy the moment!
It really is a shame that if you fall in love with someone from another country that you have to jump through so many hoops! Good luck with whatever you decide!!! Thank you for your kind comment! 🙂
It doesn’t help when someone running for the highest office in the land and leading in polls proclaims Mexicans “rapists,” and then insists he’s NOT a racist. People have NO idea how difficult, time consuming and expen$$$ive it can be to file for citizenship. You can do all the right things and still wait for decades!! Apparently it’s a lot easier if you are blue eyed and from Iceland than brown eyed and from Mexico or Latin America. Then, there was the forced “repatriation” in the 1930’s back to Mexico that most Americans don’t even know about. It was the Japanese intern,net camps in reverse. To be fair, racism occurs everywhere. All we can do is to speak up and to educate whenever it rears its ugly head.
I agree on every point! Thank you for your powerful and truthful comment!!
Tell Lucas I congratulate him!
What a proud moment that must have been. Especially considering everything you had to go through!
It kind of makes my blood boil when I hear that an innocent person who means no harm was given a hard time by those immigration hijos de su…mama! I will keep your feed clean no worries.
That is totally unfair BUT I am glad and happy that you came out winner in all of this!
My father fought and worked hard for us to be Canadian citizens and I couldn’t be more proud.
Now start a brand new chapter and the best is yet to come!
Have a nice drink and salud!
K 🙂
I told him congrats from you and he said muchas gracias! Yes, it makes my blood boil too whenever we encounter ignorance and I’m sad to say that we encounter it all of the time. I love your father for fighting so hard!!! We couldn’t celebrate last night, but we will have a chance on Sunday! Lots of champagne!!! XO
Congrats! It has been 2 years for my hubby. We experienced problems with the Canadian customs all the time, they aren’t a big fan of French people, but then again my hubby had had his green card for 15 years. So glad you finally made it through!
Canadian customs? Oh boy! So ridiculous!!! Thank you, we are so glad too! We can finally breathe.
Congratulations to the three of you! That is a HUGE decision. Glad you’re finally on the other side of all that red tape and paperwork.
Thank you so very much! Yes, such a huge a decision, since they made him give up his Argentinean citizenship!!! We are so glad to be on the other side!
Congratulations to all of you!!
Thank you my sweet friend!
Ugh, Rodolfo has been detained for questioning when coming to the US alone the past two times! The most frustrating thing is not knowing why – on paper, he is the perfect tourist who has come, behaved, and left shortly thereafter many times, so it is particularly maddening that he’s treated like some major threat. I’m glad Lucas got his citizenship and that you guys hopefully won’t have that experience again! I can also relate on the racism. We haven’t experienced it personally, but I do worry about potential situations where Rodolfo might be treated poorly as a result of his accent and appearance.
Boo, that is exactly what we went through as well! Breaks my heart to pieces!!! I am so so so glad we don’t have to go through that sh*t anymore! I’m sorry that you will probably go through it many more times. 🙁
that is a big day I remember when we became citizens and so sorry about the racism thats awful hugs
Yes, very big day! Thank you for the hugs!!!
Congrats to you all! I know the road has been filled with challenges and obstacles, and though Gav and I have experienced minor bumps in the road, it’s nothing compared to what you and Lucas have experienced. SO PLEASED that it’s all sorted for you now!
Thank you sweetheart! I’m so glad to hear that you haven’t experience any major bumps!!! Will Gav eventually become a citizen?
Hi, congrats!! That’s so exciting! I have a maybe “stupid” question. Why did he have to give up his Argentinean citizenship? I thought u.s. allowed dual citizenship?
Thank you! Not a stupid question at all, unfortunately the US does not allow for dual anymore for “certain” countries. 🙁
Great post!!! Congrats to Lucas!
Thanks a million!!!
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This is all too familiar. I’m so glad your hubby was able to get his citizenship. Congrats to you all! Such a huge accomplishment!
Thank you Sarah! Your kind words mean the world to us!!! XO