Louis’ Citizenship Story
A dream come true
In a packed courthouse in February 2025, Louis raised his hand, recited the Oath of Allegiance, and joined over 100 other exuberant New Americans as United States citizens.
“[I was] over the moon about getting citizenship. It was a privilege that day to become an American. It was a dream come true,” Louis warmly recalled the emotions flowing through him on his day of naturalization.
A sense of relief after decades in a refugee camp
Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Louis spent most of his life before coming to the U.S. in a refugee camp in neighboring Zambia. For 19 years, he waited, along with his mother and six siblings, to be selected for resettlement. The day finally came in 2019, and on April 3 of that year, Louis and his family arrived in Minnesota.
I love Minnesota. It’s been amazing. It’s welcoming and there’s a lot of great opportunity.
“I will never forget that date,” Louis said. Even though the calendar said spring, it was a bitterly cold and snowy April day. Louis remembered not staying inside his house that entire first week to escape the cold. Despite the freezing temperatures, he could not have been happier to be here starting his new life.
“It was amazing landing in America and being in our house in Minnesota. There was a sense of relief because we endured a lot in the refugee camp, and we went through a lot of things to see that day. Words cannot express the feelings on that day. Amazing, joyful, I could use all of these words, but nothing can really express how I felt.”
As the days went on and the weather warmed, he and his family received resettlement support from the International Institute of Minnesota. Refugee services staff at the Institute help refugees become stable and self-sufficient by finding safe and affordable housing, secure employment, learn English, access medical care, and enroll children in school.
Louis’ family ended up moving to Indiana in 2020, the year after they were resettled by the Institute, but Louis stayed in Minnesota.
“I love Minnesota,” he said. “It’s been amazing. It’s welcoming and there’s a lot of great opportunity. There are good people, good schools. I love Minnesota and always will love Minnesota.”
Becoming a citizen, with help from the Institute
While his family lived in another state, Louis stayed connected to the Institute. As a refugee, he was eligible for a green card to become a lawful permanent resident after living here for one year. The Institute helped him secure his green card, a crucial step in the pathway to becoming a U.S. citizen.
[As a U.S. citizen], I have more confidence that whatever happens I know who I am, and I know I am a citizen.
Five years from their arrival date in the U.S., refugees are then eligible to become citizens. In April 2024, the Institute helped Louis start his citizenship process. He was initially worried about all the forms and paperwork involved in the process, but he remembered how “the Institute covered everything. My challenges were overcome by the Institute.”
The Institute’s expert immigration team provides low-cost citizenship assistance as they walk New Americans through the entire process.
“I’ve strongly recommended friends to become citizens,” Louis said about the Institute’s citizenship services. “Refugees have less resources and knowledge about how to fill out applications and the Institute taking that step and helping us do this is breathtaking and I’m always appreciative,” he added.
With U.S. citizenship, Louis looks forward to voting, a new sense of belonging in America, and the protections that come with naturalization.
“I wanted to belong here in the country. I love this country and everything it offers, so the best thing I could do was to be a citizen,” he shared. “[As a U.S. citizen], I have more confidence that whatever happens I know who I am, and I know I am a citizen.”
This additional confidence and security kept Louis feeling safe during Operation Metro Surge and the occupation of the Twin Cities by ICE earlier this year.
“I was confident, and I didn’t worry about anything knowing I have citizenship. If I got picked up, I could show I am a citizen. I am an American 100%.”
Proud accomplishments
Becoming a citizen was just the latest accomplishment for Louis, as he graduated from Bethany Global University in May 2025, with a degree in Intercultural Ministry Studies. He currently works as a direct support professional, helping developmentally disabled individuals.
I wanted to belong here in the country. I love this country and everything it offers, so the best thing I could do was to be a citizen.
When asked about what he is most proud of since arriving in the U.S., Louis declared his college degree, improving his English, and supporting his family. He then paused, and added, “being an American, it’s a dream come true.”