A 99-year-old Indian woman, named Daibai from Orlando, has finally been granted U.S. citizenship after a long wait.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) shared her photo on platform X with a caption proclaiming age as just a number and celebrated Daibai's transition from an Indian native to a new American citizen.
In the shared image, Daibai can be seen seated in a wheelchair, proudly displaying her citizenship certificate. Flanked by her daughter and the U.S. official who administered the oath of allegiance, the moment was one of triumph.
USCIS extended congratulations for her naturalization. However, the news has ignited fresh debates on social media. Some people welcome this, while others within the Indian community express displeasure.
On social media, an Indian user humorously pointed out that Daibai had been awaiting her green card, renewing her H-1B visa every three years, and now she's retiring.
Another Indian user commented on the challenging plight of highly skilled Indian immigrants, emphasizing that it takes them two lifetimes to secure permanent residency in the U.S., which is a sad reality for many talented contributors to the American economy.
A user mentioned that while it's a joyous occasion for Daibai, most Indians working on H1B visas might never see their green card, even if they live to be 99 or 150 years old.
Indeed, obtaining U.S. citizenship is no easy feat. One must meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Foreign nationals aspiring to American citizenship must have resided as lawful permanent residents for at least five years. Those married to U.S. citizens are required to have three years of valid permanent residency.
In 2023, the bulk of new American citizens had been lawful permanent residents for five years, followed by those with three-year residencies. Additionally, service members are often granted certain privileges.
Before one can attain American citizenship, securing a green card is essential. This Permanent Resident Card varies in quota from country to country. A report last October claimed that over a million Indians were awaiting their green cards.
Green card holders must also pass an examination to qualify for citizenship. USCIS states that green card holders over 65 years of age who have resided in the U.S. for over 20 years face a simpler examination process compared to others.
