In fact, due to her immigration status, she couldn’t even use a scholarship she had earned to the University of Illinois. “That was heartbreaking. I had done everything right in school, worked hard and followed every rule, yet it still felt like I wasn’t allowed to move forward.”
True to her character, Madelin persevered. She earned a biology degree from Rhode Island College, married, and built her career. Yet she still couldn’t participate in our democracy. Ultimately, that inspired her to pursue citizenship — but cost was a real barrier.
“My sister recommended One Percent for America to me because they offer financing for the citizenship process. Plus, knowing there was support available removed a lot of stress and made the process feel more manageable.”
Soon after getting a loan from OPA, Madelin applied for U.S. citizenship. Looking back, Madelin says, “When I received my citizenship application approval, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and relief. It felt like a door I had been standing in front of for so long had finally opened.”
“For years, I cared about elections and public issues but could only watch from the sidelines. After becoming a citizen, voting in my first presidential election and months later traveling to New York City to stand in front of the Statue of Liberty felt like a true full-circle moment. I had admired the democratic process for so long, and in that moment, I was finally part of it.”
Madelin has this advice for other immigrants: “If you care about being heard and being involved in the future of this country, do not be afraid to ask for help. Citizenship is about belonging, participation and creating opportunities for yourself and future generations.”
