GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- On July 2, in Bismarck, N.D., three young adults stand in front of a crowd of supporters and a judge, held up their right hand and swore their allegiance to the United States. At the completion of the swear-in ceremony, the room erupted into cheers.

One of the people who was sworn in that day is Airman 1st Class Margarita Botero, a medical technician with the 319th Medical Group.

Airman Botero, 20, said her journey began when she was nine years old and her mother moved from Bogotá, Columbia, to the states.

Airman Botero said her mother's main goal when she came to the U.S. was to obtain citizenship for herself and her family.

"It was a family dream to get our citizenship," said Airman Botero.

To achieve the family dream, Airman Botero joined her mother in the U.S. two years ago.
"The U.S. is full of opportunities," said Airman Botero about the differences she observed between the U.S. and Columbia.

"Everywhere I go there is always something better," added Airman Botero. "There are many different opportunities for me to be successful."

One of the opportunities Airman Botero seized was joining the military.

"I was paying my way through college and supporting myself, but then I found out about the military and the education opportunities they offer so I joined," said Airman Botero.

Airman Botero also knew that she could apply for her citizenship through the military but she said she had to wait until she arrived at her first duty station before applying.

"I took my paperwork and forms to the Military Personnel Flight in April and I received my citizenship three months later," Airman Botero reminisced.

The process for Airman Botero to receive her citizenship included finger printing, studying about U.S. history and answering questions during an interview.

After accomplishing the process, Airman Botero said her last step was to set a date for her swear in.

"The next available swear in date was only a week after my interview, so unfortunately my family couldn't attend," said Airman Botero.

Airman Botero was emotional when she officially became a citizen.

"It was a big deal to my family and me when I received my citizenship, so I cried when I got it," said Airman Botero.

Although Airman Botero's family couldn't make the swear in ceremony, Airman Botero said her family expressed how happy and proud they are of her.

"To my family and me, it wasn't only me getting my citizenship, but it was about me being the first one in my entire family to receive it," explained Airman Botero.

Airman Botero is proud to call herself an American citizen after all the time and money her family, especially her mom, has spent in the past to obtain citizenship.

"Getting my citizenship was what my mom worked for," said Airman Botero. "If I have kids they will be American citizens because I am and this is what my family was working for."

Editor's Note: Part two of a three part series.