When immigrants become American citizens, they become full members of U.S. society and they can enjoy the full rights, privileges, and protections of living in this country. Many immigrants choose to become American citizens because citizenship epitomizes their sense of belonging to the United States or because it allows them to express their gratitude to a country that offered them a better economic future or refuge from religious or political persecution. Others, however, have chosen to acquire U.S. citizenship with the goal of participating in American politics.
But not all immigrants have naturalized or taken advantage of the right to vote. Many migrated to the United States solely for economic reasons and feel they lack the time or knowledge to participate in politics. Others, in contrast, are weary of participating in the political process because of their experiences with corrupt and manipulative political leaders in their home countries.
The following quotes illustrate a range of responses from the immigrants we interviewed about how they feel about citizenship and political participation in the United States.
Click on another subcategory (Immigration Process, Learning English, Encounters with Discrimination, Finding Employment, or Miscellaneous) to explore other quotations about the immigration process.
