111 Years Later, Dad Fulfills Great Grandpa's Wish Of Becoming U.S. Citizen

A dad broke down in tears at becoming a U.S. citizen 111 years after his great grandpa arrived on Ellis Island before returning to Europe to collect his family and being drafted into WWI never to return. Alexander Ricciardi, 52, who lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, moved to the U.S. from Switzerland, and had Italian citizenship as he spent most of his childhood moving around Europe. Growing up, he heard stories of how, in 1913, his great grandfather came to the U.S. with the goal of getting established and later immigrating with his wife to chase the American dream. Incredibly, the family even has a photo of his signature in the record books on Ellis Island – but his great grandpa’s dreams were quickly dashed. Upon his return to Sicily in 1914 to retrieve his wife and the last of their belongings, he was drafted into the military to fight in WWI. After surviving the war and returning home, they were no longer able to move to the U.S. due to eugenics and immigration laws barring Italians from immigrating. Decades later, great grandson Alexander met his now-wife in Geneva, Switzerland, a year after she moved from the U.S. to be a nanny and sign ASL for a girl with disabilities. Alexander’s daughter, Michaela, 22, revealed the story goes constant nagging from a housekeeper persuaded her mom to finally feel confident enough in her French to meet the housekeeper’s son – Alexander. After the pair immediately fell in love, they later agreed they wanted to settle down back in the U.S. and so in 1997 Alexander left everything behind to move and take on new opportunities. Fast forward to the current day, and with Michaela living away from her family in Tacoma, Washington, when her mom gave her the news Alexander’s citizenship ceremony date had arrived, she was determined to fly home to witness her dad obtain what he worked so hard for. Without him knowing, she arrived at the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne on July 10, and as she made her way towards him he immediately broke down
Release Status:
TV & Digital
Advertising
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA
  • Date Acquired07-20-2024
  • Date Filmed07-10-2024
  • OrientationVertical
  • Footage TypeCell Phone
  • Rights TV & Digital, Commercial, Publishing

111 Years Later, Dad Fulfills Great Grandpa's Wish Of Becoming U.S. Citizen

Order

Determined Immigrant Dad Surprises Wife With Tesla On 43rd Anniversary

Airman Dad Surprises Daughter Before Her Wedding After Secretly Returning From Overseas

Kids Surprise Dad For The First Time In Years After He Had To Leave U.S.

Dad Opens 'Late Birthday Present' To Discover News He's Set To Be A Grandpa For First Time

Man 'Proposes' to Stepdaughter After Getting Engaged To Her Mom

Wholesome Dad Blocks Passersby For Daughter's Proposal

Fiancee's Dad Goes Undercover To Find Perfect Proposal Spot With Hilarious Results

Boyfriend Proposes In Exact Same Spot As Late Father-In-Law

Labrador Videos Lead to Surprise Puppy for Grieving Dog Dad

When Grandpa Can't Make Quinceanera Granddaughter Surprises Him In Dress In Hospital

Woman Gifts Rainbow Lorikeet That Landed On Her Head To Grandpa

Daughter Records Dad's Beautiful Reaction When He Receives Permanent Residency In United States

Grandkids Have Surprise Reunion With Beloved Grandpa After His Stem Cell Transplant

Daughter Who Moved To U.S. Reunites With Mom After Five Years

Dad Can't Believe His Eyes As Daughter He Hasn't Seen In 18 Months Walks Through Door

Woman Returns To Mexico To Surprise Grandpa After 16 Years Apart

Dad Can't Stop Crying Happy Tears As Daughter Surprises Him after 3 Years

Man Reunites With Father He Thought Was Dead After Sibling Tracks Him Down Through Facebook

Grandfather's 32-Year Seashell Hunting Secret Still Magical

Girl Who Misses Grandpa Caught On Security Cam Hugging Photo Of Him

Dad Records Accidental Selfie During Son's Wedding

Grandpa Gets Emotional When He Hears Granddaughter Sing in Spanish for First Time

Sisters Reunited With Sibling And Dad From Mexico Who They've Not Seen In More Than 25 Years

Soldier Dad Surprises Four Sons After Seven Month Deployment

Son Surprises Dad Who Is Deaf After Eight Years Apart In Different Countries

Boy Gives Heartwarming Best Man Speech To Dad And "Coolest Stepmom"

Bride's Biological Dad Asks Stepdad To Walk Aisle With Them Arm In Arm

Toddler Surprises Military Dad By Taking First Steps To Him

Husband Surprised By Father He Thought He'd Seen For Last Time On 50th Birthday