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Iraqi immigrant voting for first time in US is grateful for freedom of choice

Posted at 8:28 AM, Oct 28, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-28 11:28:26-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Americans are voting once again, and while the 2020 campaign has been contentious, our political process is a matter of perspective.

Iraqi immigrant Saba Yousif became a U.S citizen in 2018, along with her parents and four of her five siblings. Yousif will be voting for the first time.

Yousif told ABC 10News anchor Kimberly Hunt that due to the persecution back in Baghdad and not having the freedom to truly make a difference in election, this election -- to her -- is “precious.”

The American system is something everyone all over the world admires, according to Yousif.

She said as Chaldean Iraqis, her family finally feels true freedom.

Even her parents are sharing her joy because they will be voting in their first presidential election here. They’ve all enjoyed having the right to express their opinions, have discussions, hear the candidates’ views, and make a choice at the ballot box.

“I feel blessed to be a citizen of this country. We left and came here for a reason, and I think the most important is freedom of choice,” Yousif said.