A bright future

Shayla Waugh

Shayla Waugh

Frehiwot Werede has lived in the United States for 15 years, but she has yet to gain full American citizenship.

Originally from Gadriff, Sudan, Werede said her family moved to the United States when she was four years old. Her father chose to move their family to the United States because he wanted his family to experience a better life and have a chance at a better future than what was possible in Sudan.

Werede, a freshman nursing major, is considered a permanent resident, not citizen, of the United States and has South Dakota residency. In order to become an American Citizen, she has to apply. According to the Official USA Citizenship Service website, www.uscitizenship.info, in order to make the transition from a permanent resident to full citizenship, Werede will have to complete the standard INS forms and pay the applicable fees.

She has never felt the need to apply, but figures she eventually will.

“I plan to apply for citizenship after I graduate from college,” Werede said.

Not being a citizen doesn’t have many restrictions. Werede pays in-state tuition and has received financial aid in the form of grants and school loans.

“I think the only right I am really currently denied is the right to vote,” she said.

Planning to do missionary work after graduating from college, Werede said becoming an American citizen would make the process of traveling overseas with the missionaries much less complicated.

“As a missionary, I plan on spending time back in Sudan and also Ethiopia,” said Werede. “I want to do missionary work because God has done amazing things in my life and I want to share that with others.”

Traveling to Sudan through her missionary work would be her first return since moving to America.

#1.885487:3645308170.jpg:sudangirl.jpg:Originally from Sudan, Werede may apply for citizenship.: