Washington, D.C. is home to many different cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds. But before Andrew Berry came to the United States, he met his future wife while working at a hotel in his native Jamaica, where she was visiting at the time. Shortly after meeting her, Andrew had heard about a US employment agency, applied and successfully landed a job opportunity at an electric company in the United States in October 2007. When reminiscing about those early days, he speaks on his commitment to his wife, “We met in Jamaica and I fell in love with her and I told her I’d come to America to be with her and share my heart with her.” Once Andrew found his wife, he felt that he had no need to rush his documentation for citizenship as long as they were in the same place.
Next year, will be Andrew’s 12th year wedding anniversary and he has decided it is time to get his citizenship, together with his daughter. He wants to travel the world with his wife to build their future together and explore the world without worrying about restrictions that may come with a green card. When asked about what has changed, Andrew says, “I do not want a green card renewal again but citizenship. It is time to move forward”.
To Andrew, by keeping yourself on track, working, paying taxes and bills, and staying committed, he believes you can acquire the American dream. He tells us of his life in the United States, “I don’t come here as a burden. I want to uplift my living standards, my wife’s standards, my daughter’s standards.” He thanks his company for the opportunity and family support for allowing him to achieve the American dream through hard work.
Through the help of the Citizenship Workshops hosted by the DC Government and New American Workforce partnership, Andrew now has a better understanding of the citizenship process. He is currently in the process of getting his citizenship and is optimistic about what the future will entail for himself and his family. Andrew plans to propose to his wife again in Washington, DC within the next few years, a place that has opened many opportunities for Andrew and his family gladly stating, “I pledge allegiance to the flag”.