Why I got my American citizenship (Japanese)

Concentration camp from a Japanese mother’s point of view (Japanese) Why I got my American citizenship (Japanese) The reactions of others when I got my American citizenship (Japanese) My changing identity depending on circumstances (Japanese) Americanized values (Japanese) Traditional Japanese events for Japanese Americans (Japanese) Leaving for the States without telling my parents (Japanese)

Transcripts available in the following languages:

(Japanese) It was due to my laziness. I could’ve just stayed with my Green Card, but these Green Cards do expire, and it was such a hassle to renew it every time they expired. On the other hand, once you get citizenship, you never have to go though the process again, so I thought that would be the easier solution. It doesn’t matter whether my nationality is Japanese or American, as long as I have a passport from one country or another. It doesn’t matter whether I’m considered Japanese or American, as long as I have a passport that allows me to go see my parents [in Japan] in the event of an emergency. That alone is good enough for me. On top of that, I already have a house in this country, my husband is American… and I just can’t see myself “going home” to Japan anymore. But just because I’m American now doesn’t necessarily mean that it makes me “proud” or “glad” or anything. I got my American citizenship simply because I was too lazy to keep renewing my Green Card. Seriously. That’s the truth.

Date: March 1, 2007
Location: California, US
Interviewer: Yoko Nishimura
Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

citizenship green card identity

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