Philip Fu has reached his American dream. He owns a business, a home and after 10 years in the country he's now a naturalized U.S. citizen. Fu became a naturalized U.S. citizen on Jan. 29, 2009.
For the 47-year-old Rowland Heights resident who grew up in China, becoming a citizen was a r relief. "Now, I can really enjoy this country. I can start my business feeling more confident about my future here," he said.
He lived in China until he was 35. Fu grew up in Chongqing, a city of more than 31 million people in Southwest China, with five siblings - three sisters and two brothers.
He studied American literature in college, where he learned English.
Fu married and had a daughter before he moved to Southern California in 1998 to open a branch for the construction company he worked for in China.
Four years later, the company decided to close the branch. But Fu wasn't ready to return. Since then, Fu has had several businesses including Puhui Real Estate Development. This year, he's starting a new communications company to help teach American culture to the Chinese and Chinese culture to Americans.
Last year, 743,715 people became citizens, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. China was one of the top countries of origin for naturalization last year.(Source: Maria Ines Zamudio, Sgvtribune.com,. Jul 3, 2010).