The Journey to Citizenship: An Interview with Saba M. Ralli

Interview by Diane Lynch:

Saba M Ralli-Mesones

One of my hobbies as an adult has been working on our family tree. It helps me to experience history in a very personal way and I can't help but be in awe of the experiences of those who decided to take the often long and arduous journey to becoming a citizen of the US. While things have likely changed a bit from the days when my ancestors arrived on US soil, the journey to citizenship is still one that requires great perseverance, courage, patience and resources. Health Services is excited to have the opportunity to celebrate our very own Saba Mesones Ralli who has officially earned her US citizenship.

I would like to commemorate this milestone moment by sharing my interview with Saba below with our university community:

When did you come to the US?
"I arrived in the United States from Peru 21 years ago, in September 2003, when I was 6 years old."

Who did you come with?
"I came with my mom and older brother, who was 10 at the time. Unfortunately, we had to leave my dad behind due to his job. My dad came 6 months later. In 2006 my parents had my younger brother."

Did you have other family members in the US at the time you arrived?
"Yes, my mom's oldest brother was living in Clifton at the time. We stayed with him and his family for about two months."

How easy was it to transition to the US from another country?
"The transition was challenging, especially for my mom. Being only 6, I didn't fully grasp the difficulties at the time, but I remember her fear. Neither she nor my brother and I spoke much English, so learning the language was a major hurdle for all of us."

Did you always plan to become a citizen?
"Yes, that was always the goal. Becoming a citizen made life simpler, especially since it meant I no longer had to carry extra documentation to prove my status."

What were your biggest challenges to citizenship?
"The hardest part was how long and complicated the process turned out to be. It's not just a simple application; you're dealing with years of waiting, uncertainty, and a lot of detailed paperwork. Every step felt like it could be a setback if something went wrong, whether it was missing a deadline, not fully understanding a form, or dealing with the language barrier. On top of that, the cost of applying and attending interviews was a financial strain. There's also the emotional side: the stress of not knowing when or if you'll be accepted, and the pressure to constantly prove that you deserve to be here legally."

What do you value the most about becoming a US citizen?
"For me, citizenship brought a deep sense of belonging and security. I no longer feel the weight of constantly proving I have a right to be here, which was something I dealt with for a long time. I value the freedom that comes with it knowing I can travel, vote, and fully participate in society without worrying about my immigration status. It also means that opportunities, like pursuing my education or building a career, feel more within reach because I don't have to navigate extra hurdles or restrictions."

What do you wish people would be better informed about in relationship to the journey to citizenship?
"I wish people understood how much persistence and patience it takes. Many think it's just about paperwork, but it's an emotional rollercoaster. You sacrifice a lot of time and money. There's also a lot of fear involved, especially for families who face the possibility of separation. My older brother met his wife here in the U.S., but eventually, they moved to Spain. He had been under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) for years, which allowed him to work but placed significant limits on his life, he couldn't leave the country, travel freely, or even eligible to apply for student loans. Shortly after he left, my parents also moved to Spain. Becoming a citizen holds even greater meaning for me because I was able to stay and complete the process. People often overlook the pressure and uncertainty that immigrants live with for years while waiting for not just citizenship approval but to be considered a legal resident. It's much more than just "going through the system."

Anything else you would like to share?
"I wouldn't have been able to achieve this without the support of my husband and family, and I'm deeply aware of how fortunate I am. My younger brother is also very aware of how fortunate he is to have been born here and the privileges that come with that."

As we look back at our country's history, immigration and the path to citizenship has always played a prominent role. In honor of Saba, I would like to conclude with the following quote because I think it helps to illustrate the journey well:
"There is no class so intensely patriotic…as the naturalized citizen and his child, for little does the native-born citizen know of the value of rights which have never been denied."

Categories: Health and Medicine

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