Alice

Alice: Becoming a U.S. Citizen 

May 6, 2026 | The last two years have been full of radical changes in immigration policy and enforcement, causing uncertainty and fear. With all of these changes, gaining U.S. citizenship is still the strongest and most secure form of protection for New Americans. 

Each of our clients comes to the Institute with a remarkable story of perseverance. One such client, Alice, invited us into her life to share about her journey. Spending the first 22 years of her life in a refugee camp in Rwanda after fleeing conflict in her home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Alice and her family were resettled in Minnesota by the Institute’s team.

Graduating from the Institute’s Nursing Assistant Training program, Alice now works as certified nursing assistant (CNA) while going back to school to become a registered nurse. While she was busy with work, school, and raising a family, she didn’t have much time to think about her citizenship eligibility. 

“When [we were eligible for citizenship], International Institute send us a message, ‘It’s your time to apply for citizenship.’ We’re like, ‘They are there for us. We don’t need to worry,’” Alice fondly remembers the Institute’s immigration team’s support. 

Watch Alice’s inspiring story to learn about the difference the Institute and becoming a United States citizen has made in her life. 

Thank you to Storyboard Films for capturing Alice’s story!