On March 18, 2026, New Berlin Cultural Center Director, Dance Teacher, and Classical Ballerina Andreia Keller accepted her Naturalized Citizenship of the United States of America. (Photo by Kelli Miller)

NEW BERLIN — With her official U.S. citizenship testing and ceremony behind her, New Berlin Cultural Center Director, Dance Teacher, and Classical Ballerina Andreia Keller announced her American citizenship with pride and love for America.

On March 18, in Broome County, Keller accepted her Naturalized Citizenship of the United States of America amongst 25 additional inductees, from 21 different countries.

“My decision to pursue U.S. citizenship after living here 28 years was the final natural step for me to fully integrate into this society,” said Keller. “My commitment to this nation is based on values I respect, compassion and the rule of law.”

She said she has faith in this country and swore loyalty to uphold the ideas of a U.S. citizen.

Keller applied in April 2025 and began studying for the civics test non-stop, learning about the Constitution, American rights, and freedom.

“I studied a lot because I love to learn, because I wanted to know what America is and I’m a little bit of a nerd,” Keller said.

With her ability to speak five languages, memorization skills and intelligence, she proved herself by acing the interview and tests.

“Not to brag, but I did really well in the interview, and everyone at the immigration office was absolutely kind,” she said.

The interview process included a civics test, writing test, and some interestingly awkward questions such as; if she had ever been in a terrorist group, learned how to make a bomb, worked in a prison, and more.

At the end of the interview, Keller said they asked the two most important questions of all, “Why did she move to the USA” and “Why does she want to become a U.S. citizen?”

Keller noted the reason she moved to America was for love and truly believes that all we need is love.

Her answer to her quest for U.S. citizenship was for her right to freedom, freedom of speech, and to savor the ideal of a beautiful America.

She said the overall experience was positive and while her husband patiently waited outside in the interview room, she shared her entire life story with the officer, telling her childhood story and art and dance career, her grandparents life, and even baking bread in New Berlin.

After the interview and upon entering the room where her husband patiently waited, she said, “I did it” and everyone, even the guards applauded.”

Keller looks forward to the power of her vote to help with the beautiful morals that were started by her immigrant grandparents.

She said she has always been an immigrant, moving from her mother’s house to her grandparents, living in multiple countries and cities, learning all knew things and in different schools, so she has known the lifestyle very well.

“Even so, I was very scared, even though we hadn’t gone to Brazil for almost two years, and still a green card holder for 28 years, I was still a Latina immigrant, legal, but not yet a citizen and that fear stays with you,” she said.

Keller noted it was always so easy to travel back and forth from the United States to Brazil, until lately, when she said it has become more difficult and her friends have yet to return to the states from their visit.

“Now, I don’t have contact with them and we have no idea where they are,” said Keller. “It hit like a panic. We’re all legal to this point, but I didn’t know what to expect next.”

“I was very fearful,” Keller added.

She said one of her greatest supporters was Father Steve from the New Berlin, Episcopal Church, offering a sense of peace and protection.

“I will forever be grateful for that,” said Keller.

According to the U.S. citizenship site, to apply for U.S. citizenship, you must be a 18 plus years of age, a lawful permanent resident for at least five years or three years if married to a U.S. citizen. The process includes a fee, interview, testing, and Oath of Allegiance

For further information on becoming a U.S. Citizenship, visit the website: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/apply-for-naturalization.