Becoming a citizen: escape to freedom!

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kapinos
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  This is the final part of a three-part series detailing three Airmen becoming American citizens.
American citizenship is often something that is overlooked and taken for granted by most people, but for three Warriors of the North it is something they have been dreaming about for years. 

Finally, that dream has come true. 

Each of them had their own reasons for beginning this journey, but for Airman 1st Class Ehsan Ansari, a supply troop with the 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron, making that dream a reality would include risking his very life. The dream started for the Airman when he was a young Iranian soldier. 

"I was born and raised in the country of Iran and even served in their army as an infantryman," said Airman Ansari. "I loved being part of a brotherhood and enjoyed the mission, but I wanted more than what they were able to offer me." 

But leaving the country was not as simple as just wanting to go, as the young soldier would soon find out. It would take more than that, and it all started with his mother's own journey to freedom and a new life. 

"My mother had come to the United States in 1995 to visit her brother after not seeing him for over 20 years," said Airman Ansari. "During her time here she renounced her Muslim religion and became a Christian. After that, there was no way for her to return to Iran, as it would have been a death sentence for her." 

So, while his mother lived in America and worked on her own citizenship, Airman Ansari continued to serve his country and get his education, eventually receiving a degree in mathematics. But, with most of his family residing in another country, and his lack of freedom, Airman Ansari knew that it was time for him to leave his native land as well. But it would be no easy task. 

"You can leave the country of Iran to visit other countries in the Middle East. That is easy," said Airman Ansari. "But if I had said that I wanted to go to America, I would have probably been arrested, maybe even worse." 

So, instead of telling the authorities of his true intentions, Airman Ansari risked everything by telling Iranian officials that he wanted to visit the United Arab Emirates. Luckily, he was able to escape the Iran. Once in the UAE, he went to the American embassy there and asked to come to the U.S. That was eight years ago. 

Since coming to the country in 2000, Airman Ansari took charge of his destiny and did everything he needed to do to become a citizen. He completed all the paperwork, received his green card and even completed another degree; a degree in computer science from an American college. Even with all of this, he still yearned for more. 

Remembering his time in the Iranian army and wanting to again be a part of something larger than himself, he became an Airman and was part of a brotherhood once more. He did this for two reasons: to serve his new country as he had done for his old, and to complete his citizenship process. 

Now as this journey comes to its completion, Airman Ansari is a proud citizen of this country. He looks to ever higher goals and ambitions, and plans to apply to be an officer in the Air Force. He wants to work as a linguist or translator, since he speaks three languages currently spoken in Afghanistan, said Airman Ansari. 

Airman Ansari's pride in being a citizen is evident, and looks forward to taking advantage of all that is offered in his new country. 

"I feel so different now that I am an American citizen," said Airman Ansari. "I can vote, and I can travel to other countries without fear of reprisal. This is amazing in itself, but right now I am just proud that this is my home.