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I am proud to be an American Citizen.

I did become American citizen in order to vote. I lived in this country for a very long time and I finally reached the point where I thought, I'm often sticking my neck out on various issues as all human beings have a right to do.

As immigrants, we understand better than most that to be an American is a privilege that conveys not just rights but responsibilities.

I'm an immigrant myself. It was a tough road to come to America and work.

I believe with all my heart that America remains 'the great idea' that inspires the world. It is a privilege to be born here. It is an honor to become a citizen here. It is a gift to raise your family here, to vote here, and to live here.

I became an American citizen three years ago, and if I'd been arrested, maybe that wouldn't have happened. That was a very proud moment, by the way. I still have my Irish passport, but becoming an American citizen was important in terms of my family.

To become an American citizen, we require people to read, write and speak in English. That is to help them to assimilate in our melting pot, truly to become Americans. We mock that when the cherished right to vote does not involve English any more.

I still remember, 40 years ago, when I was shackled and put in prison... Being an American citizen didn't mean a thing.

What makes America special is that people come here, assimilate and become American with all of the rights and responsibilities citizenship bestows.

I was an American citizen, and I had as many rights as anyone else.