Airman gains citizenship

After waiting more than two years and almost giving up hope, Airman 1st Class Zhenhua Xie becomes a United States citizen in a Nov. 6 ceremony at Tinker. Supportive friends and co-workers packed a Bldg. 460 conference room to watch the 72nd Force Support Squadron information manager and Tinker Honor Guard member recite the oath given by Jose Olivares of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Mr. Olivares made a special trip to Tinker to perform the ceremony. (Air Force photo/Margo Wright)

After years waiting, Airman gains citizenship

Published Nov. 13, 2008
By Danielle Gregory
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Airman 1st Class Zhenhua Xie was born in China yet always wanted to be an active American military member.

This dream would only be realized eight years later.

Airman Xie was able to join into the Air Force but could not re-enlist without his citizenship. Luckily, for him he met Dena Hale, a worker in Tinker's passport office.

Within two months Ms. Hale made it possible for Airman Xie to finally receive his citizenship after his application had been on file for two years.

"Until I met Dena I didn't think I would get my citizenship finalized. She talked to everyone, I don't know what magic they did but it worked. I almost gave up before her, but she gave me hope," said Airman Xie.

Airman Xie first tried to come to the states with his mother in 1996. It wasn't possible because of Chinese regulations. Four years later however he made his way across the Pacific Ocean.

"I had one year of high school in Los Angeles and then went to Seattle for the rest of high school. A recruiter approached me my senior year but I didn't want to join at that time," said Airman Xie.

Airman Xie joined into the Air Force in December 2005.

"Although I didn't join my senior year, I've always wanted to join," said Airman Xie. He said the best thing about becoming a citizen is the fact that he can re-enlist and have more job options.

"I am up for re-enlistment this month. If I hadn't re-enlisted I would've gotten out and gotten a degree," said Airman Xie. "Now that I am a citizen I would have say maybe 50 jobs to pick from but by not being a citizen I only had five to 10 to choose from. Even a part of my job in the Air Force I can't do because of security clearance issues."

Airman Xie has been at Tinker since May 2006 and works as an information manager with the 72nd Force Support Squadron.