In 1977, my family and I came from Australia to the west coast of the United States where I was doing graduate studies, so we came on a student visa.

Later on, we got what was called legal alien visa. I don't know what they call it now, but back in the 70 was called legal alien. But I was not a

citizen of the United States. As a non-citizen, I lived in America, but I did not have any of the

rights and the privileges. I did not have any of the benefits that those who are citizens of the United States have enjoyed.

For example, I could be deported, or the government could take away from me that resident alien card.

I could not vote.

I could not run for political office. Not that I ever thought about it,

but I could not do it. I could not be protected by the U.S. embassies abroad as I traveled. But in

1984, I became a citizen of the United States. And on that day, all of the privileges and all of the benefits

that those who have been born in this country, who are citizens of this country, became mine.

With one exception, one very, very important exception, I'm going to tell you about it at the end of the

message. No, it is not running for president of the United States. But when I became a citizen,

I received all these benefits that citizenship can offer me. I could come

and go easily without visas and without special permission. I could live abroad or I could live in the

United States. I could get the U.S. Embassy's protection when I travel abroad. I could never be deported as a citizen of this country.

I can run for any political office except that of president, and that's not my problem.

That's Schwarznegger's problem.

They will have to change the laws for him.

But above all, I could vote for the candidate of my choice.

What difference that citizenship made?

What difference?

What benefits I've received when I became a citizen?

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