Becoming a citizen is opening up new job opportunities and freedoms for Ayhan, but that’s not what matters most to him.

“I am old, but the future belongs to my daughter,” says Ayhan.

Providing a better future for his daughter was Ayhan’s primary motivation for emigrating from Turkey to the United States and enrolling at The ILC. It wasn’t an easy transition. After decades of working as a manager in Turkey, he’s struggled to find work in the United States.

Watching his daughter thrive in the U.S. has made it all worthwhile. His daughter is now enrolled in college, taking biochemistry and biomedical classes. Watching her succeed despite his own struggles makes Ayhan say, “We decided we are lucky to come here.”

Ayhan hasn’t given up on his own dreams either. “Now I have my citizenship and I think everything will be better now,” says Ayhan. He can apply for more jobs now that he’s an English-speaking citizen and he’s excited to begin working again. It’s your support that has enabled Ayhan’s sacrifice to pay off for both father and daughter.

Diane Portnoy
Founder and CEO
The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc.