Why I Became a U.S. Citizen

Welcome to Issue #001 of My Inner Circle. Why this is in your inbox? Here’s where I share what’s on my mind. This time, it’s why we decided to become U.S. citizens.

It’s been a year since I became a U.S. citizen. I’ve been meaning to write about it, not the announcement short version on LinkedIn with emojis and milestone numbers, but the real version. The personal one.

When my wife and I moved here in 2014, we didn’t plan on staying. It was a career move, a chance to join IBM SPSS in Chicago, x3 the European salary (and expenses!) and work with a super talented historical team in the Statistics and ML space. We arrived from a flight from Barcelona with two suitcases, and that was it. It instantly felt exciting and very good.

We had moved from the South of France, where I was working at IBM for 3 years. We moved on an L1-A visa, which allowed us to live and work in the U.S. and left the door open for something more permanent. I’ll always be grateful to IBM for sponsoring my transfer. The L1-A is a great visa, and it gave us a real shot.

At first, we didn’t think we’d stay for long. But my dad had a feeling. When he said goodbye to us at the Barcelona airport, he told me it felt like we were leaving and not coming back. He knew me too well. I had dreamed of living in Silicon Valley since I was a kid, and he sensed this would open the door to something much bigger..

We moved from Europe with two suitcases and no plan.

And he was right. Over time, “just a few years” became the foundation for a whole life. Our kids were born here. Friendships grew deeper. Professional connections turned into something lasting. After two incredible years in Chicago (still my favorite American city), we moved to California. Eventually, we weren’t just living in the U.S. but we were living as part of it.

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From L1-A to Green Card to Citizenship

We applied for a green card. Even with the relative stability of the L1-A, the process tested our patience: paperwork, interviews, and more paperwork. It wasn’t too bad, but when it finally came through, it felt great. That said, permanent residency has its limits; you’re only allowed to spend six months per year outside the U.S. So it’s stable, but not fully flexible.

Still, we didn’t rush into citizenship. We took our time. It’s not just a change of status; it’s a shift in identity. We asked ourselves the big questions.

What would this mean for my ties to Spain?

Would we ever move back?

What about the tax implications?

That last one wasn’t trivial. U.S. citizens are taxed on their worldwide income, regardless of their place of residence. It’s a detail that makes many people hesitate. We consulted with tax advisors, did our research, and ultimately decided: yes. Even if we end up spending time in Europe again someday, I don’t see myself not participating in the U.S. economy. This is where we’re building, investing, and contributing. The opportunities here, the energy, the access, the scale, continue to pull us forward. And being fully part of that made sense.

We’ve always loved Europe and Spain; its culture, pace, and values. Our family and dear friends are still there. However, it doesn’t have to be an either-or situation. I still see myself as European. Spanish. Catalan. That hasn’t changed. I feel fortunate to belong to both worlds. That’s not something I take for granted.

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What Really Made Me Stay

What drew me to stay here was the mindset I found here. A culture of entrepreneurship, of business-building optimism, of believing that ideas are worth trying. A place where execution matters more than credentials, and agility often beats tradition. That “sky’s the limit” energy isn’t just a slogan, in Silicon Valley, it’s a way of being, and you feel it when you live here for a long time. I found myself growing into that mindset. I miss it when I’m away from it for too long.

It’s changed how I think, how I work, and how I plan. It gave me permission to dream differently. I realized the American part of me had been growing long before the paperwork caught up.

The day of the citizenship ceremony caught me off guard. I expected it to be administrative. Instead, it was emotional. I had to do it alone; my wife couldn’t be there, but in a way, that gave me space to reflect. I stood in a room full of people from every continent, all of us choosing to belong. They handed us small flags, played a video montage, and I found myself thinking about the entire journey. How far we’d come. How long did it take? What it took.

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Living a Healthy and Happy Life in America

It’s also true that you can live well here. A healthy life, good food, rich culture, and it’s all possible. You need to be intentional about it.

We often cook at home, blending Mediterranean habits with local ingredients. Farmers markets, fresh produce, long meals. That part of our lifestyle followed us, and it remained.

Our community of friends is truly global in scope. Many of our closest friends here are immigrants too, from all over the world; each has an incredible story of their own. It makes for great conversations, deep bonds, and a shared sense of wonder at the paths that brought us together.

At home, we still speak our native languages. Our kids bounce between English, Spanish, and Russian without blinking. It’s chaotic sometimes, but also beautiful. We’re raising them to feel at home in more than one culture, just like we do.

That said, I know not everyone sees life in the U.S. this way. Some people feel the system is broken; too little support, too much stress, too expensive to raise a family or take care of your health. And that’s real. I’ve heard it from friends, colleagues, even fellow immigrants. It’s a valid perspective.

We’ve just been very fortunate. The tech industry has given us exceptional conditions: premium healthcare, strong parental leave, financial flexibility, and the kind of work-life balance that makes space for family, travel, and growth. That privilege isn’t lost on me. It’s one of the reasons this life has worked so well for us.

So yes, life here can be intense, imperfect, and demanding. But for us, with the right support and a lot of gratitude, it’s been full.

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A Year Later

Some things haven’t changed. I still drink café con leche every morning. Still think in Spanish, love Spanish humor, and Mediterranean food. But there’s been a quiet shift.

There’s peace in choosing something hard and knowing it was the right choice.

Happy 4th of July!

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