There were no color guards, singers, judges, or extended family and friends, but USCRI client Fardusa could not have been more proud to have passed the test and become a U.S. citizen! Her journey from war to safety took decades. As a young girl, she and her family had a happy life in Somalia. Then conflict forced them to flee. From Somalia they fled to Yemen, where Fardusa had to be the sole support and caregiver for her children for years. Eventually, with refugee status, they were sent to Romania where they stayed until they could come to the U.S. and make their home in Vermont.

Fardusa was so excited to be able to vote this year! (Thanks in part to USCRI’s efforts, ballots in Vermont are now translated into Somali, recognizing the value of Somali citizens in the community.)