Abbey Williams
awilli63@uwyo.edu
Becoming a U.S. citizen is a process full of applications, tests and paperwork, but can be rewarding, as well as a sigh of relief.
Laramie residents Julia Stetler and Dr. Mirolov Tomschik completed their process to become U.S. citizens Monday afternoon along with five other candidates at Central High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
“I came as an exchange student from Germany in 2002 through the University of Oldenburg and stayed for a year, then went back to Germany,” Stetler said. “For me it was fairly easy because I had been married for 10 years to an American citizen, so I didn’t have any issues, I just had to fill out paper work and pay some money and wait. It took about nine months; I applied in July.”
For Stetler, the process took some time, but was worth the wait.
“For me it’s mostly been kind of an over-due step to make it formal that I’ve been here,” Stetler said.
Tomschik went through a different process through his work in the scientific field.
“Well I first had to obtain a green card, that was with the help of the university because I was working in the field of science and I was able to prove that I am good enough of a scientist for the university to back up my application,” Tomschik said.
Tomschik’s home country of Czech Republic allowed him to obtain dual citizenship.
“I didn’t want to lose my Czech citizenship because of my family and it’s possible that I need to go back home, so I wanted to keep that option open,” Tomschik said. “And it turns out Czech allowed me to keep my dual citizenship about two years ago with no conditions. With my green card I wasn’t allowed to vote.”
The completion of the process to citizenship brought a wave of emotions to Tomschik.
“I feel relieved and excited because it’s been a long journey,” Tomschik said. “It’s just a relief that I don’t have to worry about forgetting to renew my green card and that I will be as equal as the rest of the U.S. citizens. I am excited that it’s happening.”
Tomschik said that he “tried to keep it cool” at first, but then had to tell his friends, who will be attending the ceremony. As for his parents, he has some tricks up his sleeve.
“I like to surprise people,” Tomschik said. “When I got my Ph.D., I didn’t tell my parents until I had the diploma in my hands. I plan to surprise my parents when I get my passport if it comes in time.”
Tomschik said he expects a reaction from his parents once he has the official passport to show he is now a U.S. citizen.
“I have to say that I think my father will make some inappropriate jokes, he always calls me ‘the American’ of the family so he will probably tease me about that,” Tomschik said. “And my mom, my mom might cry. She tends to cry.”
