After years of paperwork and patience, Geetha Sivaguru received her United States citizenship on May 10.
Geetha and her husband, Mayandi decided to move to the United States 13 years ago from India. The couple also spent a few years in Japan and Germany while Mayandi worked.
Mayandi was then hired on at the University of Missouri-Columbia as a part postdoctoral fellow in 2000. In 2006, they moved to Mahomet when Mayandi became the Microscopy Facility Manager at the Core Facilities at the University of Illinois.
With a Ph.D. in science and a master’s in science education, Geetha was hired on at Mahomet-Seymour Junior High School a year after they arrived. She subbed for a year at Mahomet-Seymour and Urbana.
Coming to the United States afforded Geetha and Mayandi the opportunity to raise their twin sons, Vignesh and Barghav in an English speaking country. If the family ever returned to India, the boys would be able to learn in a private English speaking school in India.
Both Geetha and Mayandi are fluent in English because they attended private schools as children in India where they learned all of their subjects in English. Geetha said there are some science words she cannot translate to her native language.
The family continues to speak their native language at home. They visit India once every two years. All of their family still lives in India.
Geetha said it will be odd to get a Visa to visit India. While she misses her mom, sisters and family, the Sivaguru family feels welcome in Mahomet.
“We just feel so much at home here. I’ve never felt uncomfortable,” she said. “The junior high is a great place to work. Last week, a lot of people wore red or blue t-shirts. They threw a surprise party for me with cake. I saw red everywhere, and thought what am I missing? The whole week was so emotional because of that.”
While thinking about the long years it’s taken to become a citizen, Geetha also became emotional during the citizenship ceremony.
The paperwork and money to become a citizen proved to be a long process. Geetha received a temporary Visa when she and Mayandi came to the United States. When Mayandi became a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Missouri-Columbia, they both received a permanent resident card.
After living in the United States for five years, they were able to apply for citizenship. This process took 10 years. Geetha applied for her citizenship approximately two years after Mayandi did.
Mayandi became a U.S. citizen two years ago. He also hold dual citizenship in India.
Once their parents both became permanent residents, Vignesh and Barghav also became permanent residents.
After fingerprints, a background check and a test over general knowledge and history of the United States, Geetha was cleared to become a resident. She took an oath in Chicago.
When she received her citizenship information, she was clear to be sworn in by U.S. Magistrate Judge, David Bernthal in Urbana. On May 10, Geetha took her citizenship oath with 101 people from 41 countries.
During the ceremony, new citizens received a letter from President Obama welcoming them into the country. They watched a recorded speech made by the president. Judge Bernthal and Congressmen Rodney Davis gave speeches also.
56 third grade students from Leal Elementary sang the national anthem, then everyone said the Pledge of Allegiance together.
Geetha said that she knows her United States citizenship comes with responsibilities. While an election year just passed, she looks forward to voting.
“We thought, what’s the big deal? It’s just a piece of paper that’s saying we are citizens, she said. “To me, it’s much more that people accept you. We feel so at home here. From day one, I’ve felt accepted.”
“I don’t think we are going anywhere,” she said. “We are so comfortable here. We just feel like this was meant to be.”
