She Strengthens

A Tale of Two Passports

As a non-American citizen living in the United States, I’ve often felt like I’m stuck between two worlds. Born in Montreal to a Canadian father and an Indian mother, I’ve spent most of my life navigating the complexities of immigration.

Growing Up Between Borders

My family’s story is one of movement and adaptation. My parents met in Montreal, where my father was born and raised. My mother, who was born in Kashmir, moved to Canada with her family when she was just nine years old. My brother and I were born in Montreal, but we soon found ourselves crossing the border into the United States, where my mother pursued her PhD in Massachusetts. For the first eight years of our lives, we bounced back and forth between Canada and the U.S., developing a taste for poutine, learning limited French, and cheering on Montreal’s hockey teams.

The Visa Struggle

As we settled into life in the U.S., our Visas became less conducive to our lifestyle. Becoming citizens or green card holders became the next step, but it wasn’t an easy one. The process of getting a green card is notoriously tedious, with a lottery system that offers no guarantees. I didn’t receive my green card until I was 18, which meant I wasn’t eligible for financial aid or government loans when applying to college.

College Conundrum

As a foreign student, I applied to U.S. colleges, despite having lived in Boston for 16 years. But my Canadian citizenship offered an alternative: attending university in Canada for a fraction of the cost. I chose to attend college in the U.S., but only with the help of substantial merit-based scholarships.

The Path to Citizenship

Now, as a green card holder for five years, I’m eligible to apply for citizenship. But there’s a catch: I don’t want to give up my Canadian passport. The U.S. views dual citizenship as a conflicting loyalty, making the process even more complicated. As someone who pays taxes, stays informed about politics, and has lived in the U.S. for 20 years, I believe I’m qualified to vote. However, the cost barrier stands in the way.

The Cost of Citizenship

Becoming a U.S. citizen would require paying $165 for the USCIS Immigrant fee, $85 for biometrics, and $595 for the Application for Naturalization fee – a total of $845. The entire process would take around nine months to a year.

A Privilege Taken for Granted

As I navigate this complex process, I’m reminded that citizenship is a privilege many people fight to attain. Even as a green card holder, I feel grateful for the opportunities I’ve had. It’s easy to forget that there are people struggling to achieve something that many take for granted. Meanwhile, many eligible voters in their 20s, like my peers, choose not to exercise their right to vote.

In the end, it would cost me nearly $1,000 and a year-long process to gain the right to vote – a privilege that comes naturally to many others.