Interview with Luz  and John Balneg

What was the most difficult thing that  faced on your journey to America?

Luz: "To start life in America."

John: "Leaving all of my family, and the place I have known all my life."

How was it like your first  days in America?  Was it difficult adapting to the area?

Luz: "My first few days was spent on getting my social security number, drivers license, and finding a job. It was difficult to find a job because the employers wanted local experience."

John: "Awed because this country is so beautiful, people were so nice and friendly. Communication wasn't hard because we studied English in school in the Philippines."

How long did it take you to get used to this new area?

Luz: "About six months."

John: "A few months."

What did you have to do or learn when you got to America?

Luz: "How to use public transportation."

John: "The place and my way around."

Were you interviewed when you were coming to America?  If so, what were some of the questions that they asked you?

Luz: "Yes: 'What are your plans in America?' "

John: "Yes, they asked me to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, some history of the US, and who was the president during the civil war."

Do you believe immigrants are benefits to America?  Why or why not?

Luz: "Yes.  Many immigrants that came to America were just ordinary folks from the country that they came from.  But because of the many opportunities that were presented to them, they excelled in the field that they chose.  Examples are Albert Einstein, Henry Kissinger, Arnold Schwarzenegger... to name a few."

John: "Of course...absolutely it benefited America.  America is a land of immigrants.  All the citizens of this great country came from other countries at some point in time, like my wife and I.  When we first came here we were ready to join the work force and become productive, tax paying citizens.  The state did not have to spend a penny for our education because we were already educated when we came here."

Interview With Priscilla Templeton

 What was your experience like during your immigration?

"I was in my late 20's before I became a citizen. I essentially had gone to school and worked all the years prior to taking my test in the United States. I learned the language fluently in no time, and paid taxes. And unless I told others, no one knew I wasn't born in the United States. Therefore, when I went to take my citizenship test, I didn't feel I needed to study much, and I didn't. But, much to my surprise, I actually failed the test. I wasn't into civics and politics at the time , so when I was asked to name the local leaders , I couldn't. I proceeded to study my heart out for the next few weeks to retake the test, and passed the second time. But what made me angry was that when I was getting sworn in, next to me was a foreign family also being sworn in. However, they needed a translator because they could not speak English at all. What angered me was that I had made an effort to learn the language and become part of the system. How could this family earn the right to be citizens if they didn't even respect the country enough to learn its language?"

What was on the test?

"Lots of questions about who civil leaders were from the city and state level to the federal level."

How long did it take for you to finish the test?

"The first time, probably about a couple of hours, but the second time maybe one hour."

Was it a sheet of paper or dictated?

"Both; it required reading, writing, and speaking."

Were there any penalties for failing the first time?

"None other than humility."

Where did you take the test?

"At the local INS department (Immigration Naturalization Services), which was Santa Ana, California for me."

Were you the only one taking the test or was it several people?

"I don't recall exactly, but I do believe I took it by myself."

Did they tell you immediately that you had become a citizen or did they notify you by mail?

"I knew I passed immediately and was sworn in on the spot."

How did they swear you in?

"My agent, or INS worker, was empowered to do it himself, and did so.  We stood on a small platform."

What exactly were you swearing?

"To abide by the constitution and its rules."

What did you receive to show that you were a citizen?

"I received a certificate of ratification."

Interview with Lawrence and Erja Mirecki

When did you immigrate to the United States?

Lawrence: "January of 1997."

Edia: "January of 1997."

How did you feel about immigrating to the U.S.?

Lawrence: "It was quite a change and not knowing how this would turn out and makes the whole process unsettling. Until the immigration is complete, there is no feeling of security."

Edia: "Excited, cautious"

Do you feel you have benefited from the U.S.?

Lawrence: "I have benefited with employment and my children have benefited with living in a good community and getting a good education."

Edia: "Found wonderful loving friends, loving Christian congregation, most satisfying volunteer work."

Do you believe immigrants have helped our country?

Lawrence: "Yes.  Immigrants provide diversity and different cultural backgrounds."

Edia: "Absolutely!  Bringing a life time experience of work experience, cultural differences contribute to economy and community."

Do you think that there will be any changes about the immigration policy because of current events?

Lawrence: "Inauguration policies have already changed and security has been stepped up."

Edia: "Yes - a slowing down of allowing new immigrants into this country.  A more thorough screening process, even possible racial/religious bias may play a part in the decision of  letting in new immigrants to this country."

Do you believe that since we are a country made up of immigrants we should accept new comers with open arms?

Lawrence: "This will always happen because the U.S. is a compassionate and loving country."

Edia: "Yes - that is how the country became what it is today.  Growing diversity, strength and beauty."

Second Interview with Lawrence Mirecki

How long have you been waiting for your green card?

"Six years."

How has it affected you?

"There is a lot of uncertainty and that's stressful"

Why do you think that this process has been taking so long?

"There are a lot of checks and balances in the system as well as bureaucracy."

Why did you want to come to America?

"It was mainly for a job to provide for a family."

How does being a non-citizen affect you?

"I am a citizen of Canada: Not being a citizen of the United States, creates lots of uncertainties. "

How do you feel about illegal immigrants?

"They should be legal immigrants."

How do you feel that illegal immigrants are taking away your rights to become citizens?

"No."

What steps have you taken to receive the green card?

"The required procedures have been followed filling in forms and providing required information."

Is there anything you can do to speed up the process?

"Not once the forms have been submitted for processing and approval."

Who sponsors your green card?

"My employer."

Do you think that the process will ever speed up?

"For security reasons, no."

What is causing it to take so long?

"September 11th, security improvement, and slowing economy."

Do you ever think that you will get your green card?

"I have to be patient and wait and see and be hopeful."

What will you do if you get your green card?

"Go on to apply for citizenship."

Interview with Kim Park and Lydia Reynolds

  What country did you immigrate from?

Kim: “Korea”

Lydia: “Philippines”

  Did immigrate to the U.S. because you were forced to or because you wanted to?  Explain.

Kim: “I wanted to immigrate to the US”

Lydia: “I immigrated due to marriage.”

Was the overall process of your immigration good, bad, or ok?  Why?

Kim: “The process was good because my step dad is in the military.”

Lydia: “It was good because my husband is in the military.”

 Have you gotten your green card yet?

Kim: “I have gotten my green card and citizenship.”

Lydia: “I have gotten my green card and my citizenship.”

 Have you become a citizen yet?

Kim : “Yes”

Lydia : “Yes”

  Do you think it would have been easier for you to come to America legally or illegally?

Kim: “It would be easier to come legally.”

Lydia: “It would be easier legally”

  Did you have to get your health examined in order to come here?

Kim: “Yes, I have to get medical exam.”

Lydia: “yes, i had to pass my exam”

  Do you think immigrating legally is worth the time, effort, and wonderful feeling of being a citizen?

Kim: “Yes it is such a good feeling to be here legally.

Lydia: “Yes it is worth the time and effort.”

 Do you think your immigration could have been easier if there weren’t so many unfair obstacles the government placed in front of you?

Kim: “Yes, i have to wait until my quota is reached.”

Lydia: “Yes”

Do you think the government should change the immigration policy at all?

Kim: “Yes illegal immigrants are on the getting legalized faster than my relatives who are on the waiting list for 10-15 years.”