From Haiti to the U.S.: Tarmine’s Citizenship Story

Tarmine Guichette was 15 when she found out she wasn’t a U.S. citizen. Ten years earlier, an American family adopted her from Haiti but never finished the process of getting her citizenship. Earlier this year, Guichette who is now 26 years old was mentally ready to complete the required steps to her naturalization.

Because Guichette had lived in the United States for so long, becoming a citizen was easy and fast– something she acknowledges is a huge privilege. She applied in August, had her interview in November (just two days after the election) and was sworn in this month.

Guichette feels relieved to have the same protections as American citizens and is excited to be able to vote. One of the best parts for her is that she was able to legally change her name back to the one given to her at birth, Tarmine Guichette.