Daniel H. Sohn.

Photo: Courtesy the subject

Five years ago, I made the move from Florida to California – a leap of faith in pursuit of opportunity, stability, and community. In that transition, amid boxes and bags and everything new, I lost one of the most important documents I’ve ever held: my certificate of naturalization.

As a naturalized U.S. citizen, this document isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s proof of my status, my rights, and my place in this country. When I filed to replace it, I paid over $500 to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Then the pandemic hit, and the already slow process crawled to a halt. It took nearly four years to receive my replacement certificate – a wait marked by delays, red tape, and uncertainty.

You would think that after all that time, the

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