And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free

And I won’t forget the men that died, who gave that right to me.

Immigration issues have been on the minds of many Americans for the past couple of years with President Trump talking about building “the wall.”

However, no one seems to notice the hard-working people who legally live in the U.S. and take the time to become a U.S. citizen.

At a citizen induction ceremony in Gillette on Jan. 29, 20 people became official U.S. citizens. The naturalization process, for many, can take up to 18 months, as described by the officials who control the process.

“Well, I filed [for citizenship] at the end of May, and because we live in Wyoming and the population is really low, it didn’t take nearly as long as some other places,” Powell resident Mrs. Eva Bott said. “I was originally told it was going to take anywhere from 18 months or more, but I guess it only took about nine.”

Each circumstance is different for every person becoming a citizen. For Mrs. Bott, she has lived in the United States for 20 years and is just now becoming a citizen. Other people who were at the ceremony said they had lived here for 4-5 years and are now becoming citizens.

“[Becoming a citizen] was always in the back of my mind,” Mrs. Bott said. “Ever since I married my husband [Phil], it was kind of just a matter of when and not why. We had no plan to ever live anywhere else, so it was just kind of a matter of when for me, just so I could have all the benefits and rights of living in the United States. If I’m going to be here, I might as well be all in.”

The process of becoming a citizen can, as described, take a long time. The inductees must take a mandatory test of 10 questions selected at random from a packet of 100 predetermined questions. The packet consists of 100 basic American history questions that involve the building of the U.S. and the current government. Out of these 100 questions, 10 will be asked along with a spelling test to indicate that the citizen-to-be can speak english and can spell in english as well.

“At your first appointment, you have to go down and have your fingerprints and picture taken,” Mrs. Bott said. “At that appointment, they actually give you a book with all the questions they can possibly ask you and all the instructions and the instructions of how everything is going to go.

“From what I understand, it used to be a written test and now it is an oral test. There’s 100 questions they can ask you, anywhere ranging from ‘Who is the current President?’ to ‘How many members of congress are there?’ You study those questions, and the test administrator has a folder with 10 random questions that he does not even know which he reads off. If you get six right, then he stops, because you only need six out of 10 to pass.”

During the ceremony, four letters written by Wyoming state representative and senators were read aloud to the audience and the inductees. Each inductee received a copy of each letter, including the following:

• U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R): “Citizenship is one of the most valuable gifts that the U.S. government can bestow. You have become an American by choice and have demonstrated your commitment to our great country and to the common civic values that unite us as Americans. Congratulations. God bless you and God bless America.”
• U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney (R): “As an American citizen, you are now the inheritor of that tremendous legacy. Upon taking this oath, this nation became your home – with its limitless potential. As a citizen, you now also share the obligations and responsibilities of all of us who love this special and unique Republic.”
• U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi (R): “Your citizenship represents a great deal of hard work and determined effort on your part – a lot of study, soul searching and reflection, too. You are now part of the United States of America – and we are very happy to have you with us!”

The entire ceremony was completed in a little under an hour. During the ceremony, they had the letter readings, many patriotic organizations spoke, and a man who played the banjo had the group as a whole sing patriotic songs.

“My favorite part about the ceremony was looking back and seeing my family there to support me,” Mrs. Bott said.

And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land

God bless the USA