COIN Celebrates #WorldRefugeeDay

Today is #WorldRefugeeDay! We celebrate the presence of refugees in Indianapolis, the community organizations that support them, and the pro bono attorneys and interpreters who assist along the way. 

Refugees like new citizen Joe Rinah, whom we featured in our 2017 video: Walk A Mile in a Refugee's Shoes, are an essential part of the  Indianapolis community. Here's her story:

I came to the United State through the UN organization. My parents went to applied then we waited for the interview. After we passed the interview we waited for about 6 months for our medical check. After medical check it took about 6 months to come here if we don’t have any serious illness. We took a bus from our camp to Bangkok then we flew from Bangkok to Hong Kong. We switched to a new flight from Hong Kong to Chicago then another flight from Chicago and Indiana. As a refugee there’s a law for us to live in the United State at least 5 years before we apply for citizenship unless we’re married to a US citizen then we can apply as soon as 3 years. 

The process of becoming a citizen was very exciting for me. It wasn’t long because it took only 4-6 weeks to get an answer if your applications are approved or denied. Then another 4-6 weeks for biometric appointment and 4-6 weeks for the interview, then 4-6 weeks for oath ceremony and become a citizen. Mine was long because of the COVID-19. I expected a long interview (at least 30 minutes or more) and many questions to be asked but it wasn’t what I was expected. The interview was short and the lady that interviewed me was super nice, very professional and very polite. 

The director of COIN, Julie Sommers Neuman, a good friend of mine, was my lawyer. She helped me apply and went with me to the interview free of charge. She also helped me and my family applied for green card when we enter the US. Don’t know what we would do without her. 

Becoming a citizen has so many benefits for me. I can go back to visit Thailand and go visit other countries, I can vote, I can apply for more scholarships (some scholarships required you to be a citizen). I am very exciting to travel and I can’t wait to vote this year! 


Congratulations Joe Rinah! Happy #WorldRefugeeDay!

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