I Became a United States Citizen. Here's How.

In the final special of 2022, it's time to reveal that life event.
Subscribe to my channel: / @lostinthepond
- Support me on Patreon: / lostinthepond
- Follow me on Twitter: / lostinthepondus
- Follow me on Instagram: / laurence.m.brown
- Follow me on Facebook: / lostinthepond
- Visit my website: www.LostinthePond.com

[@Penpaper]

Folks we need to congratulate him in a way a British person understands. “Not bad, Lawrence. Not bad.”

[@haveaniceday1623]

Now carry on. Get on with it.

[@nicklebricks1049]

Tips hat. Polishes monocle.

[@119Agent]

Good show, lad.

[@aguynamednathan]

Right oh, old bean

[@toms8937]

Smashing! Utterly shattering! Good show!

[@lauraskonce3502]

When I was in high school, a classmate told me she would be absent the next day and could she see any notes I would take. I asked if everything was okay and she said, "Tomorrow, I'll be just like you! I'm going to become a citizen!"Forty-five years later, I can still hear the pride and excitement in her voice. Congratulations, Lawrence.

[@mattfinleylive]

-This made me tear.

[@Sora_Nai]

Dude thats cool your classmate shares the same name with the guy in the video

[@drewzaciv1280]

I grew up in Australia & Malaysia & born in Australia & became a US Citizen a number of years ago - without a doubt the most meaningful day of my life - there’s ups and downs in life & if you can meet it in the middle - you will never be ungrateful - truly blessed to call myself an American

[@therealrobinc]

I presume you're an ethnic Chinese or Indian as why would a bumiputra leave Malaysia. So, where's the racism you encounter worse? In the US, Australia or Malaysia?

[@jake5808]

@@therealrobincas an australian citizen there barely any racist people here, were very accepting we don’t care about race like others do

[@jake5808]

@@therealrobincalso it may be slightly worse in the states

[@madmonkee6757]

I'd trade my US citizenship for an Australian one any day.

[@chalupabatman1803]

@@madmonkee6757They probably don’t want you because they got enough people to deliver pizzas already in Australia

[@megardyn]

I was born a US citizen and I'm fairly certain I would not pass the citizenship test without studying as hard as you clearly did. Those are not easy questions and I appreciate the work you put into achieving your goal. Congratulations!

[@bearpawz_]

Person, woman, man, tv, camera... oh wait... 🤔 .... wrong test.. LOL... I'm piggybacking on Meg's post to say CONGRATULATIONS too Lawrence!!! 🤗

[@KAMMD]

Sadly, the greater portion of Americans can’t even find it to read it.

[@AntiTako]

I went to highschool here and hat to study to pass.

[@teamcougars]

I think that’s the case for most of us… being born and raised here we take our daily lives for granted I wonder if there’s an online practice test we can take for shits and giggles 😮

[@jerbear7952]

I jut took the USCIS practice test. It's pretty grade school level stuff for those born here and paid even a little bit of attention as a child.

[@jovanweismiller7114]

Congratulations, Laurence!!! My Mum came across the pond in 1946. After she had gone through all the hoops that you've gone through, she showed up to be sworn in, only to discover that because her father had been a citizen when she was born, she was already a citizen. They gave her a certificate anyway, dated on her date of birth.

[@lindsaytoles2023]

She's truly a dual citizen! 😁

[@jackielinde7568]

My mon made the same journey in the mid 1960's, long with her brother, sister, and Grandma. I still have her green card floating somewhere around my house. Sadly, with an English father and an Irish mother, she had to go through the citizenship process.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

December 7th, 2022, a day that will live in famy. - Is famy the opposite of infamy?

[@lindsaytoles2023]

@@MonkeyJedi99 I think it's just "fame" right? 🤔😆

[@lairdcummings9092]

She so loved the country, she became a citizen twice!

[@_Peremalfait]

"The English child who'd obsessed over American textbooks was now a textbook American." I admit it, I got a little choked up on that one. Well done, Lawrence. Congratulations, my fellow American.

[@rustythrombosis5417]

Yeah, even though there was a comical bend to this, it was tastefully done and you could tell he is truly proud of becoming a U.S. citizen. And it choked me up a bit, too.

[@joshbeezley4234]

Welcome to our big, crazy, messed up family, Lawrence. We're stoked to officially have you with us.

[@ChristopherCircelli]

Congratulations ! My wife got hers 2 years ago. We are proud to have you as a fellow American !

[@alexhurst3986]

My very British mother moved to the US in 1959. She became a citizen in 1984. She felt she had to earn it. It was one of the greatest days in her life. She was so proud of herself. She had always loved America having grown up in WWII England. She held more respect for the American military than anyone I know. She always said if it had not been for the GI's she'd be speaking German if she was even alive. So I am so glad that you took that huge step. It helps that you still keep your British citizenship.

[@blackbob3358]

Prithee, mr hurst, the wars were ran by "industrialists" because they wanted a bigger piece of the pie than " that other mob". Our parents parents were just fodder "to feed the stock exchanges "seething, unremitting greed" for wealth. That's it, i'm done.

[@DiacriticalOne]

I used to love naturalization ceremonies. While I was in the government, my staff and I processed almost 600,000 new citizens on our court over a 10-year period, sometimes 8-900 per day, five days per week. It was always such a joyful event. Congratulations, and welcome to citizenship. It can seem like a small thing from outside, but it changes a lot for the new citizen. Really happy for you.

[@crassustheelder9665]

Warmest and most extremely heartfelt congratulations Lawrence! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@dorlindachong8879]

Congratulations, Lawrence. I remember a story Madeline Albright told about the difference between the British and the Americans when she and her mother were displaced during WWII. They first lived in England, and whenever she told people that she had fled Czechoslovakia, the English would ask her: "When will you be able to go home?" Years later, she and her family moved to the USA. And when she told them her circumstances, they always asked: "When are you becoming an American citizen?" (she came to the US in 1948 and became a citizen in 1957). And now you have an answer for that question, too. Hip hip Huzzah.

[@rwilson7197]

I love this story.❤ Yes, here in the US, we welcome bright, intelligent newcomers and hope they stay! I am saddened that we now dont even know who is coming across the border & what their intentions are. Luckily we have caught 100 FBI Terror watchlist suspects trying to cross the southern border as of Oct. '2022, but how many have slipped through without our knowledge?

[@AngelBabies209]

Congratulations 🎉 You know more about the US than most born and raised here!

[@tangentgaming8126]

I know right. He knows all the unprovable inprovable improvable facts beyond a reasonable doubt of opinion! That man got them Stats like a Boss! Yew-Haw, Merika🇺🇲 Baby!

[@AngelaVEdwards]

True. He's 100 times better than me with the US trivia stuff. 😂

[@ailivac]

"And finally, what was the cause of the Civil War?" "Besides the obvious schism between the abolitionists and anti-abolitionists, numerous economic factors both domestic and interna-" "Just say 'slavery'" "Slavery it is!"

[@999madgamer]

it would be funny if he became a US history teacher.

[@thefederalist6786]

Welcome home, American.

[@shangobunni5]

I used to be a bartender. A woman from Cambodia also worked there and we became friends. Some regulars and I would quiz her on practice test questions while we worked. She passed the test and I attended her swearing-in ceremony. It was very moving. 🇺🇸

[@timdowney6721]

I used to volunteer as an ESL teacher with a refugee resettlement agency. Like you, I was invited to a few citizenship ceremonies. I always made sure to go.

[@shangobunni5]

@@timdowney6721 Nice! It’s so great that you supported and encouraged your students like that. ❤️

[@pattieodonnell723]

Before 9/11/01 they used to have naturalization ceremony every year outside Independence Hall, and I used to love to go. So many happy people of all different ages and colors. It was such a delight, and I always got teary-eyed

[@shangobunni5]

@@pattieodonnell723 I didn’t know that. Sorry they don’t still do that. It sounds like it was a beautiful and memorable ceremony.

[@ItsJustLisa]

Congratulations Lawrence! My stepdad got his citizenship in 2008. Sadly, my mom had passed away from cancer 5 weeks earlier. He seriously thought he wouldn’t get it without her alive anymore, but he’d done everything needed already. It’s just very sad that Mom didn’t get to share in his triumph.

[@RosheenQuynh]

😢

[@infledermaus]

Wow. I'm sorry for your loss. That sucks.

[@koroshiya_1]

I'm so sorry to hear this ❤❤

[@ItsJustLisa]

@@infledermaus, thank you.

[@Lorrainecats]

Congratulations Laurence! Glad to have you! 🇺🇲🇬🇧

[@FisherKing9633]

I don’t comment much on YT, but I feel like I have to now. A most hearty Congratulations Lawrence! I wish you the best of all luck going forward as you continue to find all the things Britain and your other home, America, have and do not have in common! I’m happy you feel at home in America, man. Even happier you feel at home in the beautiful Midwest. Hope everything is smooth sailing for you in 2023. Hope everyone reading this has smooth sailing this year.

[@auntkami]

Congratulations! My brother in law became a citizen a couple of years ago and found it really touching when he traveled on his US passport for the first time. Instead of the semi-harassment he was accustomed to upon returning to the US on his green card (he’s from Central America and I’m ‘guessing’ CBP is concerned about drug trafficking from there), he happily reported that the only thing they said when he had his passport was “welcome home.”

[@MechanicaMenace]

I'm English and get the semi-harassment more often than not. I think it's more "obviously not a tourist..." that makes them suspicious more than anything else.

[@damnimloomin]

I’m jealous I a very pale U.S. born citizen get grilled like a criminal entering the us from Canada anytime I come back from a 1-2 day trip 😂 that’s really nice they said welcome home they usually throw my passport at me and say “next” like I’m at the dmv as a welcome home lol!

[@dustbitten]

I guess getting grilled in other countries is normal. I touched down in Germany and they were like “WHY ARE YOU HERE?!?” I was like, well I never… 😧

[@kellylaliberte548]

@@dustbitten German passport control is terrible. I work for a very large German company and traveled there for a workshop with an American citizen colleague who was born in India. In Frankfurt they pulled him out of line for further screening after telling him they had never heard of the company or the town it is located in, despite at least 100 people a day catching connecting flights from there back to the US or China or other parts of Europe. They let me pass through with no trouble right in front of him.

[@dustbitten]

@@kellylaliberte548 lol what the heck 🥴 poor guy

[@lilblondiebear]

I feel like I've never been happier to say to someone I don't know, "Welcome to America!" Your video brought tears of joy to my eyes and happiness to my heart. Congratulations Lawrence, we're sincerely blessed that you are now officially, one of us! ❤️🎉🥳🤗🇺🇲🇬🇧

[@leonorebongert4194]

Congratulations, Lawrence! I'm happy to call you a fellow United States Citizen!

[@MusicalJackknife]

Congratulations! I was honored to sing with my choir at a swearing-in ceremony in Boston several years ago, where over 200 new citizens were naturalized. Unexpectedly powerful experience!

[@Drmikekuna]

This year my best friend became a US citizen. He also continues to have dual citizenship (in his case, Poland). I was honored that he included me as part of his family for the swearing-in ceremony. This was at the Federal building in Chicago and consisted of a much smaller candidate group than yours (perhaps 80-100). When we were standing in line, we were informed that only two guests were allowed per candidate, and those spots (naturally) went to his wife and son. However, the guy behind us in line was alone, so I became his guest for the day and was able to attend. It was a great day. My friend has been in the US since 1993, and it took him nearly 30 years to achieve this goal. Congratulations to you on becoming a US citizen.

[@Annonymous5411]

Your wife did a great job being the questioner. Her apathetic tone was spot on and funny

[@rosemarybierbaum4627]

Well, they DID meet in a drama class, no? Talent abounds in their family!

[@HariSeldon913]

And her being the questioner is why he was so surprised she hadn't seen his video on rivers.

[@joanvonsternberg6361]

Laurence, I'm so very happy for you! Congratulations & Welcome. I'm a fan for life.

[@bfun4615]

As a natural born US citizen, I am so proud to be American. Nor do I take my citizenship for granted like so many people do. I respect and love America for what it represents, what possibilities it holds, and what great things come with bring as part of this great nation. I am honored to work with some of the newest citizens in obtaining their travel documents showing their new citizenship. I always congratulate the recipient of a recently issued Naturalization certificate. Congratulations Lawrence!

[@seedsoflove7684]

Always stand for the pledge and anthem. I ❤ my country!

[@IFStravinsky]

I used to edit a newspaper, and I often told younger reporters that nothing would make them prouder to be an American than covering a naturalization ceremony. I also told them that, as a class, the best interviews they would ever have we=would be with veterans.

[@ColinH90]

From an American who loves British culture, congratulations. We are blessed to count you among our ranks!

[@bettysaleh468]

Congrats. My husband received his citizenship 33 years ago. A shepherd from Yemen, obtained his dream at the age of 31 years old. He has said the hardest part was dropping his green card into the box on the way out of the courtroom. To this day, he flies the flag of his adopted country with pride.

[@Unit285]

I'll bet there are some interesting stories around his coming to the US and becoming a citizen.

[@debbiesims138]

Congratulations Lawrence 🎉. We're lucky to have you. 🇺🇲

[@Amber24426]

You make me feel proud to be an American citizen, Laurence :) Your excitement to live in this country and your subsequent commitment to having successfully pursued US citizenship makes me glad that I live here, too.

[@southernbiscuits1275]

As a US citizen, I consider you to be a wonderful addition to the family. Congratulations!! All the best for you!!!

[@whatadollslife]

a lady at work became a citizen and when she came back from her ceremony, everyone at the company gave her applause

[@jamesengland7461]

That's beautiful!

[@ElCid48]

when I husband became a citizen after legally coming here, his workplace had a cake and party to celebrate. he was surprised about that.

[@terrycartwright2972]

Congratulation Lawrence and welcome. My wife and I love your videos, especially your sense of humour! (We are also big fans of the Beesleys). My family came from Nottinghamshire in the 1700s . . . love the UK!

[@madziaro]

Somehow I missed this video of yours! Congrats Lawrence! I myself became a citizen of your northern neighbour last June. I'm also also like to procrastinate, so it took me 13 years since I was eligible to do it :D Of course when I finally decided to apply, I had my English exam scheduled on March 21, 2020... As we all know the world abruptly stopped on March 13, 2020 :> So the thing that should take +/- 12 months since applying, took over 2 years. Thank Godness the Canadian exam has multiple choices, but there is 20 questions. Because of the leftover rules after the "vid", my ceremony was unfortunatelly on a zoom call, so it took some celebration from it. But anyway, congrats again from a dual citizen of Poland and Canada :)

[@squirrelorama]

I...I'm not crying... YOU'RE crying!! 🥲 Welcome Laurence, we're proud to have you, irredeemable laziness notwithstanding... 🎉🍻🍻

[@j.s.matlock1456]

I admit it. I WAS crying.

[@amandajones661]

Me too.

[@ajdembroski7529]

I cried.

[@morg775]

I teared up when my Guatemalan buddy had his ceremony. You're Truly welcome and embraced, fellow American

[@WesB1972]

Congratulations, we need citizens like you.

[@webbtrekker534]

Congratulations! Most of us have or our families have come from other places in the world. The reasons differ but all have helped the US become the unique country it is. Welcome!

[@susanneschmidtcruz7156]

CONGRATULATIONS Lawrence! We are honored to have you as a fellow countryman.

[@joekris.2998]

Hello Susanne happy new year 🎆

[@barbnauman705]

Congratulations!! Well done!! America loves you, Laurence!🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸

[@tracyd1980]

Congratulations! You know more about us….than US You are loved and welcome! Ps. Stay as British as possible

[@nomdeplume7537]

BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVA??? Congratulations, and welcome. You too can now be hated by the rest of the world, like the rest of us. It is a good thing you did, becoming an American. I'm sure you'll cherish it, and not take being an American for granted, as do so many born Americans, who lose sight of what it means. You already have an understanding and appreciation of your new country. Making the effort, you appreciate it far more than those ... To The Manor Born. 1 last thing, now that you're an American ... you have to go by Larry now. I don't make the rules.

[@beth.icanfly3983]

We're so happy you joined us!

[@Albanach-je1nk]

You can take an English man out England, but unfortunately you can't take England out of an English man

[@DonMachado]

One of us, one of us, one of us...

[@paulname5483]

Congratulations!!! A few years ago I was at a buddy’s house and we were waiting for our food delivery. Then we heard some cheering going on out side his house. Come to find out the delivery guy had just got informed his citizenship had just gone through and he was now a US citizen. We were the first people he told his family hadn’t found out yet. It was pretty awesome.

[@numberboxgamer]

I've always felt that the American idea of nationality is that anyone who opts-in counts. I'm always glad to see more people come to our shared country to help make it better and better.

[@marianneevensen7688]

Congratulations! I was 5 when my mother became a citizen and I attended her swearing in ceremony. I still remember it 66 years later. I'm thrilled for you.

[@cecilma3140]

Nowadays, a child automatically acquiring US citizenship will incur a fee to obtain a certificate of citizenship much bigger than going through the naturalization process!

[@sandralynch9928]

Congratulations! My hubby became a citizen January 15, 2015 in the Federal Courthouse in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born in Guyana (South America). It was the proudest day for he and I. I helped him study for his test which was very helpful when he and I actually began to work for Immigration. He still works there, I retired. The process is like a roller coaster ride. It isn't cheap nor is it easy. Again congratulations from the cousin of 2 presidents and niece of 1 (Adams, Adams and Jefferson). God Bless!

[@jame1seire]

Nice congratulations from a cousin of Sherry Adams. A tribute to the Adams family, Quincy and the South Shore.

[@emilyb5307]

Congrats! Well done, you're officially one of us! You can be both English and American, no one will hold it against you (much as we might all like to joke about hucking your tea into our harbor).

[@easyray3012]

Congratulations Laurence! As an American whose family came here from Ireland in 1832, welcome aboard! Turns out my lady is an Englishwoman who made the jump to US citizen in 2010!

[@AceCorban]

So proud to have you as one of my fellow countrymen! You probably know more about this country than probably 80% of us!

[@richardkimpel6142]

Congratulations and Welcome to the Club Lawrence! This proud Vet loves your videos and is honored to call you a fellow citizen!

[@Rikster_79]

This is great! Congrats dude. I came here on a specialist employment visa, met a lovely local lady and we get married this year. I shall be applying for my permanent residency status this year shortly after returning from the honeymoon.

[@momriddle]

Congratulations, fellow citizen! Well done. Thanks for sharing your experience. You always brighten my day 😄

[@wysgyeman]

Congratulations and Welcome! When you go to vote for the first time, tell the election official that it is your first time and you are a new citizen! I am an election official in Virginia. We always cheer and clap for our first time voters! Take care, stay safe, keep making these great videos!

[@CheleBoxy]

Your post brought tears to my eyes. That's a special moment.

[@heretustay]

oh hey fellow virginian :) i'm thinking of volunteering at the polls for 2024!

[@wysgyeman]

@@heretustay It is something I wanted to do for years! I started after I retired. It is such a fulfilling job! I'm in Fairfax County. When you see the precautions we take you understand how difficult fraud is and how easy Virginia makes it to vote! I "vote" that you do it!! 😊😊

[@heretustay]

@@wysgyeman thank you friend! i'm gonna look into it soon :)

[@monicapdx]

That's wonderful!

[@JustMe-ob1cq]

Lawrence I have been in the US military for 37 years in uniform and now as a Disabled Veteran military Civil Servant. I’ve served with British military folks and visited England as well. Bloody good to have you as a fellow citizen. Have a safe and happy new year my friend.

[@lindakessler8768]

Thank you. ❤🇺🇸

[@torstenheling3830]

Biggest mistake of his life.

[@sherylmccollum895]

@@torstenheling3830 No

[@torstenheling3830]

@@ravensfan777 I know. But 90% of the world is anti-American don’t forget, so I have a lot of company.

[@torstenheling3830]

@@ravensfan777 Where’s NK? No, sorry I don’t like the US. Too big, too diverse, and too much political division. There are far better places in the world.

[@jesusofbullets]

Congratulations my friend and fellow American. It's good to have more people who want to be here and help improve our country.

[@BookishDark]

Congratulations! That’s so awesome!! I’ll tell you right now - 39 years old, born and raised here, I guarantee id fail the citizenship test. Hell, I’d guarantee that vast majority of us would.

[@DawnOldham]

That was a gripping depiction of how you became a citizen! You’re a terrific comedian and I’m happy to have you as a fellow American!

[@DeedasWorld]

Congratulations on your citizenship. My sister-in-law aced her exam and finally became a citizen 2 months ago after living here w us for 10 years. Helping her study for the exam was eye-opening for me too, questions on things that I, a born citizen, shamefully didn't even know, but I do now.

[@txwaterbird6115]

I too, learned a lesson when helping a friend study for her test. I mostly knew the answers because of classes I had taken. What I learned was how hard immigrants were willing to work for it and how many hoops they had to jump through if their native language was not English. All new citizens are to be congratulated and welcomed. That is the difference between those who come here legally and those who don't care about breaking the law as their first action in the US.

[@amiesparkle00]

@@txwaterbird6115ave you ever looked up the path of someone who is neither married to a U.S. citizen or who does not qualify for a work or education visa? It’s almost impossible to live in the US, even if you work hard and go through proper channels.

[@ericdale4641]

Congratulations, Lawrence! Glad to have you as a citizen!

[@Kevin-jb8do]

Congratulations! Happy to have you as a fellow American citizen!

[@magdalenem4949]

Our naturalized citizens are some of our most patriotic ones and a true treasure to our society. In all the countries of this world you chose to come here and do the work to be part of it. People have been doing this since it's inception and this is what makes us unique as a nation, it's the backbone of the country. You are part of our fabric now, and we are honored to call you our fellow American. I attended a naturalization ceremony with a friend from Honduras and cried, it was beautiful and reminded me of how much we as natural born citizens take for granted.

[@sydneyharbour-bridges8090]

I’m a naturalised citizen and the most patriotic people I’ve met was the military types from the Midwest

[@squishmastah4682]

@@sydneyharbour-bridges8090Happy to have you here.

[@christophervogt7456]

Congratulations Laurence! Proud to have you as a fellow American! 🇺🇸

[@romeoarryn6526]

Hell yeah! Congrats on becoming an American citizen! I hope you get all the best benefits out of it and enjoy the privilege, we're happy to have you :)

[@christinedorman3383]

Congratulations, Laurence! But the biggest congratulations should go to us as you are one of the best things to happen to the U.S. in a long time. 😸❤😸

[@leonardoglesby1730]

Congratulations! My English wife went through her similar naturalization journey with a large group in Los Angeles in 1988. Now vote! Vote at every opportunity, and realize the weight of each of your votes.

Or do it like George Carlin…

[@stevensines7026]

Yes, please. Vote like your life depends on it.

[@tonysheerness2427]

What if he is a Democrat?

[@queenbee3647]

Just vote once please...no matter what the other democrats tell you.

[@leonardoglesby1730]

@@tonysheerness2427 Who cares? Now that he is a US Citizen he has a vote to use responsibly, whatever party he chooses.

[@blacksheep_edge1412]

Congratulations. The test alone is pretty hard. There are born citizens that could not pass that thing. So for your dedication to making the effort and taking that plunge, I applaud you.

[@Ladybug0915]

How awesome!! I’m a born citizen and I know I would not pass the citizenship test without studying an extremely long time. Congratulations!

[@rhondaprice5202]

Oooh Laurence congratulations! You're one of us now! And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. 🎇🎆🇺🇸🇺🇸🗽🎆🎇

[@lindad6223]

Congratulations, and Welcome Home! I stumbled on a naturalization ceremony once. I was at the local USCIS office for a software demo. When we came out, a single elderly man was being sworn in, his daughter by his side. It was so moving to hear him promise to defend this land that we love. It's not something taken lightly... (but I love the humor!)

[@joekris.2998]

Hello Linda happy new year 🎆

[@julieg1270]

Congratulations Laurence 🙂 I am from East Anglia and after being here over 30 years on a green card I made citizenship in March of 2021 🇺🇲 This past November I voted for the first time and it was then that I felt complete as a USA citizen 😀 your video brought back memories of my day being interviewed, my interviewer opened his first question to me asking me if the queen knew I was here lol He asked me so seriously and then broke into a laugh... Congrats Laurence, my husband and I love your shows. If your ever in Michigan pop in for a cuppa tea 🙂

[@danajohnson4757]

That's hilarious about the Queen!! Congrats on becoming a US citizen!! 😊

[@nailsofinterest]

The Queen lol🤣🤣🤣and congratulations 🥳🥳

[@lilbit0]

Congratulations ♥️ you know more about the United States than a lot of citizens 😂 I love your videos ❤

[@AndresVasquez-yb7vo]

I remember my citizenship questions were not nearly as hard. BTW, this video was very entertaining. I must say, being born in Ecuador, I am happy I am also a US citizen. Being able to be a dual citizen is the best.

[@yadidimeanmaine]

Congrats Lawrence. I remember swearing in myself. It was one of the greatest feelings I've ever had.

[@bigratkiller1]

I'm guessing the cat is forcing him out in a hostile takeover of the KZbin channel and house

[@profconklinkusel]

As you can see from the events that have been unfolding in Washington, DC during the past couple of days, we're not necessarily the truly United States, but the hope is that we will get there. Welcome to the privileges and responsibilities of US citizenship. We're glad you're officially one of us :)!

[@CTXSLPR]

My wife became a citizen on the 23rd of December a number of years ago, it was a huge deal. Congratulations!

[@GrandmaLoves2Scuba]

I'm proud to be your sister American! It's embarrassing that I was born here but you know more about my (now our) country than I do, lol. Edited to add two things. 1. Your mother is beautiful! 2. I'm shedding happy tears for you, which caught me off-guard.

[@Arlecchino_Gatto]

Your announcement gave me a big smile. It is great hearing about your citizenship. Also great that you didn't lose your British citizenship. Being born here I never really knew how that worked. Your dual citizenship is a bit like having your cake and eating it too!

[@lovinlorne]

I was glad to hear that, too.

[@notthatyouasked6656]

The US State Department used to have real problems with Americans holding multiple citizenships, but numerous court cases forced them to soften their stance. Now Americans can hold multiple citizenships without issues, unless they need to hold a government security clearance. The State Department still discourages holding multiple citizenships, but it's completely legal.

[@lovinlorne]

@@notthatyouasked6656 - That’s what I had always thought, so I was surprised as well as pleased.

[@TheWayOfAlex]

@Not That You Asked DOS doesn't discourage it anymore actually. I'm a diplomat who adjudicates citizenship applications to those born abroad to US Citizen parents and I answer this question often. We do not care, and the only way to "lose" American citizenship is to renounce it, a process that is surprisingly expensive and time-consuming (and not guaranteed to be approved - yes it has to be approved to happen). We do counsel people that they're now subject to all of the laws of that country and we can't protect them if they're treated unfairly (differently than other citizens of that country) by that government, but that's not discouraging them as much as being transparent about the consequences of acquiring citizenship to another country.

[@magnificentfailure2390]

I've known since I was a kid that I was eligible for dual or even triple-citizenship. During the 2010's, I prepared all the documents to go dual, via Canadian citizenship, but I never have pulled the trigger on it. Something in the back of my head keeps reminding me of my oath of office in the military and swearing allegiance to another country just doesn't feel right. For good or ill, I'm an American.

[@Queenk0526]

Congrats Laurence, and we're glad to have you.

[@kimfleury]

Good on ya. My daughter became a landed resident in Canada in 2002, but didn't apply for citizenship until at least 2018 because of the cost, and the hour and a half drive to the nearest city that handles the paperwork and stuff. She's Mexican American Canadian now.

[@craigscott2862]

As an immigration attorney of just shy of 30 years I can truly say that nothing makes me more happy than helping great people like you achieve dare I say the American Dream! Btw, anyone who has ever watched your videos knows you went 6 for 6 on the exam. Welcome to America.

[@tedbell4416]

Who needs laws anymore just come up through the southern border and tada instant citizen thanks to our dear leader.

[@gregengel1616]

@@tedbell4416 BS

[@danielcarroll3358]

Ah! He hit it for six.

[@tedbell4416]

@@gregengel1616 74,000 last month

[@minealsomine9663]

@@gregengel1616 not so much, but it was in bad taste

[@BarryKnight-ts7pm]

Welcome, Laurence. You're a good guy, and we're lucky to have you...

[@lucyjosie]

Congratulations! My family and I were in Gettysburg this year for the re-enactment of the Gettysburg Address, and we witnessed a Naturalization Ceremony. It was so beautiful to see and I got choked up when I saw them take the oath of citizenship. I'd never witnessed that ceremony before. How wonderful that must have been for you! Welcome to the Great American Melting Pot!

[@glenndixon2766]

Congratulations Lawrence!!! As a fellow MidWest “dude”, I welcome you as a new citizen to the USA!!! I have been a fan of yours for a long time and have enjoyed watching you discover what America has to offer. Keep up the great work and I can wait to see more of your adventures. Again Congratulations!!!

[@shelleymillseakin901]

Congratulations! Happy that you are part of our voting public. You are definitely a great addition to our nation.

[@hopegold883]

America just got a little greater.

[@just_another_Joe]

Congratulations! I helped my wife become a citizen ten years ago. She had been here in the U.S. for several years on a green card before we met, and had become somewhat complacent with it. After we got together, I encouraged her to move forward, so she started the process. I coached her almost nightly for several months while she waited for her various appointments. Like you, she barely squeaked by on the knowledge interview, but she made it. I was very proud of her while watching her naturalization ceremony. She got her U.S. passport a few weeks after that and has used it numerous times since. Definitely easier than traveling abroad on her old passport and a green card.

[@georgemaster9979]

Congratulations, Lawrence! You did it! I knew you would and I am pretty sure that Tara is super excited,too!

[@matthewsneed5752]

Congratulations, Lawrence! And welcome! You are a better American than many I’ve encountered.

[@leekshikapinnamneni4835]

Congrats, Lauren! I typically don’t comment on this channel, but this is such wonderful news. I became a citizen on October 25 in 2018. That’s what I took the oath and everything. The citizenship test was about a month before that. It is so funny that I still remember the date because you can’t forget it. At least that was true for me. Congratulations once again! Now I’ll go back to watching the rest of this video.

[@gothenmosph5151]

I have been a US green card resident (oermenant US residency) for 8 years. I went to high school exchange 18 years ago, then went to university here. I stayed on other visa prorams and got green card. I want to become a US resident. My wife and three children are Americans. I will always be grateful. I am from Serbia but will be an American regardless of what happens.

[@cathleenrichards3841]

Best of luck to you!

[@jolynnaerobert3190]

I am 70 years old and would not have passed that test! Wow. Congratulations Laurence!!

[@marclederman6206]

A belated congratulations fellow American! 🎉

[@oxigenarian9763]

Congratulations, you are officially one of us now! Just remember to keep your heritage alive. My grandparents came here on Ellis Island and became citizens but in their zeal for their new country, did not pass their history along to their kids. My dad asked Grandpa to teach him Polish when he was growing up but was told, 'No, we are Americans now, we speak English'. I wish my dad was able to teach me Polish as I was growing up and to hear all the stories of my family, too. Honoring your British culture at home and being part of the American culture in public is not a contradiction, it adds savor to "the American Melting Pot"...

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

My parents. Older brother and sister immigrated from Germany 1953. I was born in America. We spoke German at home. And English. My parents were actually born in Poland. They never taught us kids to speak Polish. That was their private language. When they didn't want us kids to know what they were talking about. So when they spoke Polish we kids knew something was up.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

The melting pot is an unfortunate metaphor because it did exactly what you’re concerned about here - erased people’s history and heritage for a bland averaging.

[@mitchyoung93]

Those were better days. You cannot serve two masters.

[@3506Dodge]

"heritage"? Such as the English language?

[@lorianne7031]

I think many immigrants (at least in the past) made their American homes "English speaking only" with the understanding it would benefit their children in school, etc. My father understood his parent's native language, Hungarian, but he really couldn't speak it. The only words I know pertain to food (of course!). Yes, keep the traditions of your family and childhood alive, meld them in with your wife's family traditions. Congratulations on having a dual citizenship. Well done, sir!

[@galaxywolf969]

Congratulations, Lawrence! You, like every one who becomes a new citizen of the United States by choice, make this country a better place to live every day. Thanks for doing so much to continue to tie the United States and Great Britain together. As someone who loves both countries you are greatly appreciated. Have a awesome day!

[@Aeternum_Gaming]

i was born and raised in the US. Lawrence probably knows more about US history than i do at this point. most natives don't honestly care. which is a shame. maybe some shit would get fixed around here if we all shared this enthusiastic attitude.

[@oneamericanpatriot108]

Congratulations and a belated but well-earned Welcome to America. Thank you for doing it the right way Unfortunately that is becoming all too rare these days.

[@JJMarkin]

Yay, fellow citizen! I flunked my interview, but I was only 16 at the time and the interviewer decided, what the heck, just welcome the kid into the fold and let education do its job. : ). I was sworn in by a federal judge who knew my father, so a ceremony for one, in his courtroom. My parents were sworn in on the 4th of July at Monticello, Jefferson's home.

[@Bellamy666]

Congratulations Laurence!! Now you’re officially an American KZbin sensation

[@joekris.2998]

Hello Bellamy happy new year 🎆

[@Tim3.14]

Congrats, Lawrence! We're happy to have you! :) My thoughts on some of the questions: "What does the Constitution do?" is a bit tricky even when you've studied the Constitution a fair bit. I mean, it does a lot of things, but which are they looking for in a brief summary? I guess I would have gone with "It defines the roles of the different branches of the federal government, and the rights of the American people." (But under pressure, I'm not sure I would have been so coherent.) I'm guessing they went with "Name one of the *two* longest rivers" since even most native-born Americans (including myself) probably would have said the Mississippi was the longest. I'm sure I learned at some point -- and subsequently forgot -- that the Missouri is longer, despite being considered a tributary of the Mississippi. Speaking of things I forgot, I must have learned the authors of the Federalist papers in 11th grade (US History), but I'd forgotten this by 12th grade. But now thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda, I know: "John Jay got sick after writing five James Madison wrote twenty-nine Hamilton wrote the other FIFTY-ONE!"

[@lorraineforster8164]

I’m not American or English but I congratulate you on your citizenship.

[@HDubya7880]

Well done, Lawrence! Welcome to our club and by all means, help us leave it better than we found it! ❤️🇺🇲🇬🇧

[@melliehelen8650]

🇺🇸 Welcome to the American family, Laurence! Oh, how I wish the swearing-in ceremony were followed with a good ol’ American picnic for new citizens, complete with red & white checkered tablecloths, hot dogs, hamburgers, apple pie, and a sandlot game of baseball for the kids! Thanks for sharing your exciting news with us in your usual charming way. 🎉

[@tinydancer7426]

Don't forget cornhole and a good old fashioned tug o'war.

[@ShDynasty_Comma_To_The_Top]

And the red Solo cups.

[@Unit285]

You make us nostalgic for better days long gone. God Save the USA.

[@dalestaley5637]

I'm teary eyed over you're citizenship!

[@kympeplau1635]

Congratulations! I am very happy for you! And welcome as a citizen of the United States of America! 🎉🇺🇸🥳