Amidst life’s unexpected turns, a journey from Argentina to the United States has led to a new chapter for Griselda Solis de Drucker. Initially traveling to Madison, Wisconsin, to visit family and contemplate her future, Solis de Drucker found more than she anticipated—a new love and a new life.
Following the end of her three-decade marriage, Solis de Drucker’s visit was meant to be temporary. However, meeting her future husband changed those plans. “We were both broken,” she expressed through a translator, “We found each other and we were then the perfect pair.”
After marrying in 2020 and settling into her new life as a school custodian in Middleton, Solis de Drucker faced the uncertainty of living in the U.S. without citizenship. In 2023, she embarked on the path to naturalization, culminating in a March ceremony in Madison where she became one of 40 new citizens from 20 countries, including nations like Algeria and China.
The naturalization ceremony was held at a time when the U.S. immigration process has become increasingly challenging. Delays and denials for citizenship applications have grown under President Donald Trump’s administration, as noted by NPR and the American Immigration Council. Despite these hurdles, thousands continue to achieve citizenship across the nation.
At the March ceremony, held amidst dreary weather, the atmosphere was one of celebration. Friends and family filled the courthouse to witness their loved ones take the oath of allegiance. Among the new citizens was Jeanne d’Arc Wydeven from Rwanda, who expressed relief at finally achieving the freedom and opportunities citizenship provides.
A Precarious Moment
U.S. District Judge William Conley, who presided over the ceremony, acknowledged the challenges immigrants face today. “This is a tremulous time in our history when some seem to be forgetting that immigrants are the very lifeblood of our country,” he remarked, receiving applause from those in attendance.
The ceremony saw the new citizens pledge their allegiance to the U.S., promising to uphold the Constitution and fulfill duties like serving in the military if necessary. The event concluded with photo opportunities for the new citizens and their families.
For Solis de Drucker, American citizenship signifies a new beginning, allowing her to partake more actively in her community and church. It also opens the door for her children to visit and potentially pursue citizenship themselves.
As Solis de Drucker celebrated her new status at an Argentine restaurant, she reflected on the journey and the separation from her children in Argentina. Despite the distance, her dual ties to both countries remain strong. For now, embracing her new responsibilities and freedoms as an American takes precedence.
