I came into the U.S. more than a decade ago on a J visa, then scrambled for years on H-1B work visas.

I sought and received a green card.

Then I earned citizenship by joining the military and swore in on the graduation field at Ft. Jackson.

That& #39;s a pathway now closed. https://twitter.com/nprpolitics/status/1275167959699374080">https://twitter.com/nprpoliti...

Here& #39;s me getting my American citizenship.

I wish I could say it was a proud moment of my life but honestly I have little to no recollection of it and was just glad to be done with Ft Jackson

The actual proud moment came months after I became a citizen, when I graduated as the top leader in my Army combat medic class of more than 200 soldiers.

That& #39;s me calling cadence and then marching by. It& #39;s... not my NPR voice.