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Article: Iraqi refugee becomes citizen: 24-year-old fled regime, returned as U.S. translator.
- Article from:
- The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA)
- Article date:
- January 24, 2007
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 The Spokesman-Review. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Kevin Graman
Jan. 24--Ali Albakriy fled Iraq to avoid military service under Saddam Hussein only to return to his native land as an interpreter for the U.S. Army. On Tuesday, the 24-year-old's dream of becoming an American came true as he and 47 other immigrants from around the world were sworn in as citizens by U.S. Magistrate Cynthia Imbrogno in Spokane.
Albakriy's journey began in 2000 when he and his mother left Iraq and a regime they opposed. "We didn't believe in it," Albakriy said. "I ran away to Jordan and became a refugee." He arrived in the United States in 2001, and settled in Kennewick, where he works in auto sales. ...