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Three roads to American citizenship: Airman travels from South America

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Martinez
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  On July 2, in Bismarck, N.D., three young adults stand in front of a crowd of supporters and a judge, held up their right hand and swore their allegiance to the United States. At the completion of the swear-in ceremony, the room erupted into cheers.

One of the people who was sworn in that day is Airman 1st Class Margarita Botero, a medical technician with the 319th Medical Group.

Airman Botero said her journey began when she was 9 years old and her mother moved from Bogotá, Columbia, to the United States.

Airman Botero said her mother's main goal when she came to the United States was to obtain citizenship for herself and her family.

"It was a family dream to get our citizenship," said Airman Botero.

To achieve the family dream, Airman Botero joined her mother in the United States two years ago.

"The U.S. is full of opportunities," said Airman Botero about the differences she observed between the United States and Columbia.

"Everywhere I go, there is always something better," added the Airman. "There are many different opportunities for me to be successful."

One of the opportunities Airman Botero seized was joining the military.

"I was paying my way through college and supporting myself, but then I found out about the military and the education opportunities they offer, so I joined," she said.

Airman Botero also knew that she could apply for her citizenship through the military, but she said she had to wait until she arrived at her first duty station before applying.

"I took my paperwork and forms to the Military Personnel Flight in April, and I received my citizenship three months later," Airman Botero said.

The process for Airman Botero to receive her citizenship included finger printing, studying U.S. history, and answering questions during an interview.

After accomplishing the process, Airman Botero said her last step was to set a date for her swear in.

"The next available swear in date was only a week after my interview, so unfortunately my family couldn't attend," she added.

Airman Botero was emotional when she officially became a citizen.

"It was a big deal to my family and me when I received my citizenship, so I cried when I got it," she said.

Although Airman Botero's family couldn't attend the swear in ceremony, Airman Botero said her family expressed how happy and proud they are of her.

"To my family and me, it wasn't only me getting my citizenship, but it was about me being the first one in my entire family to receive it," explained the Airman.

Airman Botero is proud to call herself an American citizen after all the time and money her family, especially her mom, has spent in the past to obtain citizenship.

"Getting my citizenship was what my mom worked for," said Airman Botero. "If I have kids, they will be American citizens because I am, and this is what my family was working for."