Key Takeaways
• Shaqiong Fung became a U.S. citizen at nearly 100, overcoming dementia and age-related challenges.
• Her son Brian assisted with applications, interviews, and translation during the citizenship process.
• Elderly and disabled applicants can seek test exemptions through medical certification, like Form N-648.
The sun was just beginning to warm El Cajon on April 23, 2025, when Shaqiong Fung sat quietly beside her son, Brian. Almost a century of life had brought Shaqiong to this moment. Her memory, often blurry because of dementia, sometimes made simple things like favorite songs hard to recall. But one dream had always stayed clear in her mind: she wanted to become a U.S. citizen. On this special morning, after a journey that started long ago, that dream came true.
Shaqiong Fung’s story stretches back to the late 1990s. She first set foot in the United States 🇺🇸 as a much younger woman, hopeful but unsure. Adjusting to a new country brought difficulties—strange customs, a different language, and a sense of not quite belonging. The challenge felt too great, so she returned home to China 🇨🇳. But over time, her ties to the United States 🇺🇸 grew stronger. Four of her adult children chose to settle in America, finding new lives and opportunities there.
In 2017, when she was nearing 90, Shaqiong made a life-changing decision. She wanted to reunite with her family and fulfill the dream she had never let go. So, even at an age when most people are not thinking of moving across the world, she came back to America. Being with her children meant everything to her. “My mother’s goal was always to be close to us, to feel like she truly belonged,” said Brian Fung. For Shaqiong, becoming a U.S. citizen was not just about paperwork—it was the last piece in her long journey to belonging.
The citizenship process for someone at such an advanced age comes with unique hurdles. Memory loss caused by dementia made the requirements feel even more challenging. The United States 🇺🇸 requires citizenship candidates to show knowledge of the country’s history and government, live here as a legal permanent resident, and promise their loyalty through the oath of allegiance. Luckily, Shaqiong already had her green card, which allowed her to start the citizenship application process.
Brian, the youngest of her children, became her guide and her voice. He prepared the forms, filled out answers, and stood beside her during the interviews as her translator. “It’s an accomplishment for me too because I did all this for her,” Brian said, his pride shining through as he explained how much it meant to see his mother succeed. But most of all, it was Shaqiong Fung’s determination that kept them moving forward, day after day.
Dementia can be a cruel condition, especially for someone as hopeful as Shaqiong. Her family describes moments when she struggles to sing even the simplest songs, forgetting lines that once came easily. Yet, the dream of becoming a U.S. citizen—the main goal she had for years—remained so vivid that not even her memory loss could erase it. The power of her wish shows how important immigration and family can become, even as other memories fade.
On the day of the naturalization ceremony, the air buzzed with nervous excitement. Shaqiong, dressed carefully for the occasion, took her place among others also hoping to become new Americans. When the time came, she raised her hand and repeated the oath of allegiance, a promise that made her part of her adopted country at last. “She feels very lucky, yeah, because not too many people at her age are being naturalized,” Brian shared. The moment marked more than an end—it was a new beginning.
After decades of moving between countries, missing loved ones, and facing the problems that come with old age, Shaqiong Fung finally held the certificate proving she was a U.S. citizen. Brian took a picture of her holding the certificate, her smile bright despite the lines of age and the quiet confusion that sometimes touches her days. For Shaqiong, becoming a citizen gave her more than a legal status—it gave her peace, a feeling of being home, and the right to call herself an American with her family by her side.
Living with dementia has changed the way Shaqiong experiences each day, but her spirit has stayed strong. In her family’s El Cajon home, she now spends many days surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Sometimes, they sing together—old Chinese folk songs, American classics, or church hymns. Even when Shaqiong struggles to remember all the lyrics, the love and warmth in the room are clear. The family laughs about the missed lines or forgotten words, cherishing these small moments as signs of hope and togetherness.
Her achievement is rare, but not entirely unique. In 2016, another woman named America Maria Hernandez, aged 99 and born in Colombia 🇨🇴, became a U.S. citizen (CBS News). These stories show that it’s never too late to reach for dreams—especially those that bring loved ones closer or open new doors, even late in life.
Shaqiong Fung’s path to citizenship reflects broader patterns in immigration. According to the USCIS Citizen’s Almanac, “Naturalized citizens are an important part of our great democracy, bringing a wealth of talent, ability, and character to this Nation.” Each year, thousands of people from every age group and background join American society as new citizens. Many, like Shaqiong, come for family, seeking a sense of belonging and comfort in their later years.
For older adults, especially those with health problems like dementia, the legal process of naturalization can be difficult. The requirements often include tests of English and U.S. civics—a challenge for anyone, and much more so for people with memory troubles. However, U.S. immigration law does allow for certain accommodations. Candidates who meet specific conditions, such as living in the United States 🇺🇸 for many years as a permanent resident or having medical problems like dementia, can sometimes receive exemptions from the English or civics tests. Families are often a lifeline. They help with paperwork, interviews, and transportation, and they offer comfort during stressful times. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the support that family members provide during the U.S. citizenship process can have a huge impact on the success of elderly applicants.
Shaqiong’s family played every part—translators, caretakers, cheerleaders. The result was not just a stamp on paper, but a celebration that honored a lifetime of hope and hard work. Brian Fung’s pride highlighted the deep emotional ties that make immigrant families so close. Each new citizen’s story, especially those at advanced ages or living with conditions like dementia, brings unique perspective to the country’s fabric.
The official process itself is both structured and flexible. The U.S. government, mainly through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, lays out who can become a citizen by naturalization. Most must show “good moral character,” knowledge of English and American government, and live in the country as a lawful permanent resident for a specific number of years. For elderly candidates and those with serious health issues, doctors can fill out a medical certification for disability exceptions (Form N-648). This form helps make sure that people like Shaqiong, whose memories are not as strong, do not miss out on citizenship simply because of their health.
But putting aside papers and forms, the emotional part of the journey stands out the most. Shaqiong Fung’s story is a living example of how strong the wish to belong can be. Her struggle with dementia did not stop her from dreaming. Her age did not become a full barrier. With help, she found her way through the process and came out on the other side filled with family and happiness.
Her family’s daily life now is quieter but filled with meaning. In El Cajon’s small living room, traditions from China 🇨🇳 blend naturally with new American routines. The children laugh over big American breakfasts, while Shaqiong shares stories from her youth—sometimes forgetting the endings, but always making everyone smile. There are still hard days when memory loss makes things confusing or when the challenges of growing old become more noticeable. But there is also comfort. Citizenship brings her benefits—peace of mind about her future, easier access to health services, and a stronger connection to her American children and grandchildren.
The impact of Shaqiong Fung’s story goes beyond her family. It speaks to the experience of many immigrants who come later in life, often to be close to loved ones. National data shows that older immigrants make up a growing share of new citizens each year, reflecting changes in family patterns and global mobility. At nearly 100 years old, Shaqiong Fung proves that age is not an obstacle. Her diagnosis of dementia—something that might have stopped others—became only one part of her story, not the end of it.
Her son Brian’s advice to other families is simple. “Don’t lose hope. Help your family members, even when things feel impossible. If my mother could do it at almost 100, anyone can.” He reminds others that the road is not easy, especially with medical or memory problems. But love and support can carry people through the hardest moments.
In the bigger story of American immigration, Shaqiong Fung’s journey is both unique and familiar. Her path shares the ups and downs so many others have faced, from confusion and worry to the joy of acceptance. Citizenship did not erase her dementia, nor did it wipe away the years spent far from home. But it did bring her closer to what matters most—family, security, and the pride of belonging.
Shaqiong’s journey stands as a tribute to all those who dream big, even as time passes. Her life is proof that a wish for citizenship, made strong by years of hope and family ties, can survive delay, distance, and even memory loss. The smile on her face as she held her certificate said it all: some dreams, when finally reached, fill not just the mind, but the heart.
As America’s population ages and families spread across countries, more people may look to stories like Shaqiong Fung’s for inspiration. Her experience reminds us that immigration is not only about paperwork and government offices—it’s about people, relationships, and never giving up on the hope of home. For those struggling with the challenges of old age, or supporting relatives with dementia, Shaqiong’s achievement is a shining example of how patience and love can break through even the hardest barriers.
For anyone who wants to know more about the process, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website provides detailed guides on how to start. These resources also outline help for those who, like Shaqiong, have health or memory problems. Every path is different, but with the right support, anyone—no matter their age or condition—can find their place in America’s story.
Learn Today
Naturalization → The legal process by which a non-citizen acquires citizenship in a new country, such as the United States.
Green Card → An identification card showing that a person is a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
Dementia → A medical condition causing memory loss and cognitive decline, making daily activities and legal processes more difficult.
Oath of Allegiance → A formal promise new U.S. citizens make to be loyal and committed to the country’s laws and values.
Form N-648 → A U.S. immigration document allowing doctors to request disability-related test exemptions for citizenship applicants.
This Article in a Nutshell
Shaqiong Fung, almost 100 years old and living with dementia, achieved her lifelong dream of gaining U.S. citizenship. With her family’s support and medical accommodations, she overcame legal and personal barriers. Her inspiring journey highlights the power of hope, belonging, and the crucial role of loved ones in immigration success.
— By VisaVerge.com
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