Interesting to read the thread.
As a legal immigrant, at age 17, from the days when the US had quotas, strict border enforcement, medical test requirements, interviews by US authorities before allowing my entry, it was a relatively rough time after arrival.
Strange culture, not understanding the language, took a good bit of effort to get with the program. Language was tough to learn, Spent several month with dictionaires to translate a two page center article from the NY Post. Got some small jobs washing neighbors cars, painting fences and basements.
Soon, Uncle Sam decided to draft me. Being a green card holder made me eligible for military service. Volunteered an extra year to get the MOS I wanted.
English learning accelarated rapidly in the Army. Failing to understand commands gave many opportunities for pushups. Learned much descriptive languge for everyday things and activites, many of the descriptors started with Fu.. or invoking the name of sevaral deities like Go*...... Finally after honorably exiting the service, ran the gauntlet of citizenship application, examination, finally a judge declered me and a few hundred other in lower Manhattan Federal Courthouse a Naturalized citizen. Then spent another 14 years in the active reserves.
In the end looking back 57 years later, was well worth the hassle and effort. Am comfortably retired for over 14 years. I have earned the right to vote as well as to criticize the gummint, I sure don't like the current trajectory of the US. However, being on the exit slope of life, I will let the more youthful population determine their future. Good luck.
