Sultan,
We had dinner with a friend last night. During the regular chit chat, we happened to discuss the issue to green card vs a citizenship. Bear in mind, the friends are of the silmilar educational and cultural background like ours. They are from the same country as us, lived in Dubai and Australia with us and applied for and became Australian citizens while we chose not to.
The lady, a young 32 year old, related to me how difficult it had been for her to take an oath of allegiance for her when she applied for her Australian passport. Upon being asked why she took it anyway, her response was "I love my country, but we didn't want to have to go back under any circumstances."
It was a shock for me to hear these words. It made me sad, because thats not how *I* feel at all.
But wait, there is more.
The conversation drifted to American green card and citizenship issues. She confessed that she would love to be a green card holder here, and get an opportunity to become a citizen. I wondered why they needed to change their allegiances yet again, as the oath was allegiance espoused certain values which were difficult to change in just 2 years. Changing loyalties twice in two years must be tough, i reasoned with her, esp in times like these. And besides, I didn't see any major differece in being a citizen, a green card holder or a L1 holder. I meant it to imply that my status of residency does not determine my allegiance to this country. I would love it just as much with or without a formal document. Her response to that was "All that stuff is ok, but it is easier to travel if you have an American passport and now I don't want to go back to Australia!".
Thats when I lost my apetite....
Sadly, she spoke for the majority. The oath of allegiance no longer means anything. Conveniance of air travel without custom check is all it takes for people to switch their nationality. But does that change their feelings ? Asked what she would do if US went to war with her country, she proudly said "I would support my country, of course!" Asked what she would do if a religious zealot from her religion, launched a WTC-like attack on US, her response was "I would support my religion, of course".
Thats when I almost threw up over the dining table.....
I have long believed that the definition of citizenship needs to be updated. Or we need to provide a new term for non native dubious citizens of America, which aptly reflects their lack of love and respect for their adopted country. |
