Finnish couple becomes U.S. citizens in unexpected ceremony in Los Angeles

On Tuesday, among the American voters waiting in line was Finnish couple Lilli Kaarakka and Hannu Aukia, who became U.S. citizens just a week and a half ago. The lengthy process culminated unexpectedly during an interview in Los Angeles when an official announced that the citizenship ceremony would occur later that same day, mere hours later. Kaarakka recalls being taken aback, as they had anticipated a celebratory invitation weeks or even months later.

Originally, the couple had no plans to move to the U.S., let alone become Americans. Their journey began in 2012 when Kaarakka received a scholarship for graduate studies at Michigan Technological University. What was meant to be a one-year stay eventually extended over a decade. By 2013, they relocated to Los Angeles, where Kaarakka continued her doctoral studies remotely and Aukia worked on music videos for Finnish artists. The couple has also lived in Boulder, Colorado, before returning to California.

After obtaining permanent residency in 2019, the idea of citizenship took shape for them, particularly since their children—eight-year-old Felix and soon-to-be four-year-old Astrid—hold dual citizenship in Finland and the U.S. Kaarakka expresses a sense of security in their family being united as American citizens, and with citizenship comes the ability to participate more actively in local politics.

Their first act as citizens was practical; Kaarakka placed a Kamala Harris campaign sign at the forefront of their yard, while Aukia expressed more cautious feelings about such displays. They both acknowledge the need for diverse viewpoints within California’s predominantly Democratic landscape. With the upcoming election, they feel it’s crucial to engage with pressing immigration issues, irrespective of who ultimately wins.