Indian Woman Gets US Citizenship at the Age of 99, Netizens Question American Dream
By Tuhin Das Mahapatra
Published on: Apr 06, 2024 | 09:43 am IST
At 99, Indian woman's naturalization as a US citizen reignites discussions on immigration and visa backlogs.
A Century in the Making
At age 99, a woman named Daibai has become a US citizen. Daibai was born in India in 1925 and is currently living with her daughter in Orlando.
Daibai's way to naturalization is proof that many around the globe still look forward to the US as a country where you could always have a chance to live a better life.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the official USCIS account on Twitter were sharing information about Daibai's naturalization.
“Daibai is from India and was excited to take the Oath of Allegiance,” the post reads.
That image shows Daibai holding the naturalization certificate with her daughter while a USCIS officer stands close to facilitate the swearing-in.
What Is Naturalization?
The Certificate of Naturalization and Certificate of Citizenship are official documents affirming an individual’s status as a US citizen. The former is granted to individuals who have successfully completed the naturalization process, signifying their transition to citizenship. The latter is provided to individuals who were either born as U.S. citizens or obtained citizenship through other ways.
According to the USCIS website:
“Green card holders who are age 65 or older and have lived in the U.S. as permanent residents for at least 20 years (not necessarily continuously) can take an easier version of the history and government (civics) exam that is required of naturalization applicants. This is commonly referred to as the ‘65/20 exception.’”
Netizens Question the American Dream
Daibai’s story also gave rise among netizens to questions about whether or not the American dream is truly open to everyone. For some, the issue was how—being so late in life—there is limited value, not only to society but also to the person themselves, from obtaining citizenship.
One frustrated user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote:
“Most Indians in employment-based green card backlog would look like this by the time they get their green cards.”
Another user quipped:
“Rumor has it that Daibai was in the Indian green card backlog, renewing her H-1B every three years and now can finally retire.”
Visa Backlogs and H-1B Struggles
In recent days, the H-1B visa has been nothing but an ordeal, with wait times extending beyond 100 years. Working professionals such as engineers, scientists, and journalists face a minimum wait of 500 days for visa approval, while many already studying in the country are waiting for their visa renewal.
Several students expressed frustration on social media with posts like:
“H1B visa is a painful death.”
“This immigration journey is full of obstacles despite.”
ALSO READ: H1B visa seekers share ordeal of not getting selected in the lottery: ‘This immigration journey is full of obstacles’
Expert Insights on the US Visa Woes
While addressing the US's visa challenges, Varun Singh, MD of XIPHIAS Immigration, told HindustanTimes.com:
“Crucial for skilled Indian professionals aiming to work in the United States, the system is currently facing significant challenges due to extensive backlogs.”
He added that increasing awareness about the benefits of adjustment of status, such as being able to stay with family members and work in the U.S., is essential.
Last month, US Immigration Fund President and CMO Nicholas A. Mastroianni III shared a similar perspective, telling HindustanTimes.com:
“Enhancing visa processing efficiency to alleviate delays and attract investment is necessary, but authorities must also focus on bolstering program integrity and transparency to combat fraud and maintain public trust, while advocating for legislative reform and modernization to align visa policies with current economic needs.”
