New citizens welcomed at Bellevue naturalization ceremony

Published 1:39 pm Friday, September 23, 2011

Danny Khen waited for this day for more than a decade.

Khen, who arrived in the United States just weeks before the Sept. 11 attacks, saw both the lowest depths and highest highs of the American spirit.

And now, 10 years later, Khen is officially an American.

Khen was one of 51 people from 23 countries who became U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony Friday at Bellevue City Hall, the first such event in the city’s history. After speeches from Deputy Mayor Conrad Lee, and members of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, each of the 51 people were recognized by nation. When they next sat down, they were United States citizens.

“I’m very excited,” Khen said about the ceremony. “We’ve been here 10 years. It didn’t take us long to realize this is a great place to live.”

Khen first touched down in August of 2001, after his software startup in Tel Aviv was acquired by Microsoft and he was hired by the Redmond-based company. Along with his wife and three children, Khen set out to make a new home in a foreign land.

“It’s a completely new place on the other side of the world, practically, and we had concerns about finding schools for the kids, just getting to understand how life works here.”

Khen is far from alone. According to the Unites States Citizenship and Immigration Services, approximately 750,000 people become United States citizens every year. Just this week, known as National Constitution Week, 27,000 people became citizens.

Friday’s ceremony was hosted by the city and Bellevue Downtown Association. Together, they invited USCIS to conduct it in Bellevue. Debadutta Dash gave the keynote remarks.

Bellevue Deputy Mayor Conrad Lee, himself a naturalized U.S. citizen, spoke of the importance of giving back to the nation that gives them the freedoms they desire. And he told them to enjoy this day, which for him continues to be memorable.

“The proudest day of my life was the day I became a U.S. citizen,” he said.

Aziza Saliev is already giving back to the country. Formerly a resident of Uzbekistan, Saliev had dreamt of coming to the U.S. to get her education since the age of six. She began reading books in English to teach herself the language.

This work eventually paid off when in 2006, with her parents and brother at her side, Saliev made her way to America.

The family originally settled in suburb outside of Boston, but they left soon after due to the cold climate. They settled in Bellevue where Saliev began taking classes at South Seattle Community College, and later Bellevue College, with the goal of becoming a nurse. A welcome twist saw her get married and have a child, and she then continued on her career path, something she may not have been able to do in Uzbekistan.

“Young people here, they can go back to school and make their career,” she said.

As she continued her path to becoming a nurse, Saliev also was working to become a citizen. She earned her Green Card and began to study for her test, which she said was pretty simple.

Sharon Rummery, spokeswoman for Immigration Services, said an individual needs to hold a Green Card for five years before they become eligible for citizenship. They undergo a background check and study 100 American civics and history facts. They are asked 10 questions during an interview and need to get six right to qualify to become citizens.

For Khen, the path to citizenship was a bit more bumpy. It took him and his family five years to get Green Cards. During that time he continued to work at Microsoft and update his work VISA. To do that he had to leave the country each time, sometimes for several days.

Khen is grateful to be a part of this country, which was founded on immigration, but he would like to see the red tape cut out of the process. He said it could make the country more competitive economically.

“I think the country as a whole is enriched and gets a value by the society being diverse, and pulling forces and talents from all over the world,” he said. “Not every country has the ability to attract talented people from all over the world. Sometimes this country misses its opportunity big time.”

Though the citizenship process was difficult for Khen, he and Saliev both found peace and comfort in Bellevue. With its diverse populace – 30 percent of Bellevue residents are foreign born – the adjustment wasn’t as difficult. But there was still some culture shock.

In Uzbekistan, Saliev said people – women especially – keep to themselves. Strangers talk to each other more here, she said.

For Khen the effect is just the opposite. Israel is an aggressive culture, he said. People are direct and are more than happy to let you know what they think of you.

Both agreed that this part of the country is a good fit. The people are laid back and accepting of immigrants. Both enjoy the friendly nature of Northwesterners. But most of all, they appreciate the opportunities here.

“There’s a sense here that everything is possible; you can get whatever you want no matter where you live,” he said.