After more than two years, possibly almost three, our Green Cards have finally arrived.

There are certain things that I have never felt comfortable discussing on this blog. My criticisms of the immigration system has been one of them.

Though the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service has, at times, given me cause to wonder whether they would actually be diligent enough to Google me, I did not want to wreck my chance of a Green Card by saying the wrong thing. I still have to renew this card in ten years. So, I’ll just shut up.

What I will say, however, is that after almost six years of jumping from two-year visa to two-year visa, after standing for hours in lines to be fingerprinted and photographed in Brooklyn for a Work Authorization document or to have a visa put in my passport at the US embassy in London, I am relieved that it is finally over.

For Sofie and me that means no more worrying about if, and when, we will get the next visa extension. It means no more endless form filling and waiting. It means no more costly trips to London. It also means our nighttime reading will soon be Welcome to the United States: A Guide For New Immigrants. I don’t think I realized quite how big a step we had taken, until I read the intro:

Congratulations on becoming a permanent resident of the United States of America. On behalf of the president of the United States and the American people, we welcome you and wish you every success in the United States.

The United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all parts of the world. America values
the contributions of immigrants, who continue to enrich this country and preserve its legacy as a land of
freedom and opportunity.

As a permanent resident of the United States, you have made a decision to call this country your home. As you work to achieve your goals, take some time to get to know this country, its history, and its people. It is now both your right and your responsibility to shape the future of this country and ensure its continued success. Exciting opportunities await you as you begin your life as a resident of this great country. Welcome to the United States!