Indian Woman, 99, Gets US Citizenship: Netizens Question American Dream

At the age of 99, Daibai, who was born in India in 1925 and currently resides in Orlando with her daughter, has been granted US citizenship.

Daibai's naturalization is emblematic of the enduring global perception of the United States as a land of opportunity for those seeking a better life.

99 year old woman gets US Green card

Information about Daibai's naturalization was shared by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and its official Twitter account, highlighting her excitement to take the Oath of Allegiance. The naturalization certificate was presented to Daibai as she stood with her daughter, with a USCIS officer nearby to facilitate the swearing-in ceremony.

Naturalization: What is it and Why it is important?

The Certificate of Naturalization and Certificate of Citizenship are official documents that confirm an individual's status as a US citizen. The former is awarded to those who have successfully completed the naturalization process, marking their transition to citizenship. The latter is issued to individuals who were either born as US citizens or acquired citizenship through other means.

As per the USCIS website, individuals who are green card holders aged 65 or older and have lived in the US as permanent residents for at least 20 years (not necessarily continuously) are eligible to take a simplified version of the history and government (civics) exam required for naturalization applicants. This provision is commonly known as the '65/20 exception.'

Late Citizenship Sparks Debate on Access to the American Dream

However, Daibai's story also sparked questions among netizens about whether the American dream is accessible to everyone. Some raised concerns about the perceived value, not only to society but also to the individual, of attaining citizenship at such a late stage.

"Most Indians stuck in the employment-based green card backlog would resemble this scenario by the time they receive their green cards," expressed one X user in frustration. Another chimed in, suggesting humorously, "Rumor has it that Daibai was part of the Indian green card backlog, renewing her H-1B visa every three years, and can now finally retire."

H1B Visa Backlogs: A Growing Challenge for Indian Professionals

In recent days, the H1B visa has been characterized by extended wait times, with some exceeding 100 years. Working professionals, including engineers, scientists, and journalists, are facing a minimum wait of 500 days for visa approval, while many students studying in the country are awaiting visa renewal. Anger has been expressed by several students on social media, with posts stating, "H1B visa is seen as a painful death," and "This immigration journey is full of obstacles despite."

While talking on the matter, US's visa challenges, Varun Singh, MD-XIPHIAS Immigration, stated, "Skilled Indian professionals aiming to work in the United States are currently facing significant challenges due to extensive backlogs," as reported by Hindustan Times.

Last month, US Immigration Fund President and CMO Nicholas A. Mastroianni III echoed similar sentiments. Sing said, "Enhancing visa processing efficiency to alleviate delays and attract investment" is necessary, but they need to 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 need," as reported by Hindustan Times.