Ice dancing champion Belbin becomes US citizen
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-01 09:54

Ice dancing champion Tanith Belbin can celebrate the new year as an American.

Belbin was sworn in at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Detroit on Saturday morning, one day after US President Bush signed an appropriations bill speeding up the naturalization process. Belbin is now eligible to participate in the Turin Olympics, where she and partner Ben Agosto will be favorites to win the United States' first Olympic ice dance medal.

"I have lived here for so long, and this was the last piece of the puzzle," Belbin said in a statement. "I really feel that I have found my place here. Some of the greatest moments of my life were while I lived here, and now I feel complete."

Born in Canada, the 21-year-old has lived in the Detroit area since 1998. Her immigrant worker visa was approved in 2000, but she didn't receive her green card until July 2002 because of immigration rules at the time. A five-year waiting period typically follows, meaning she wouldn't have gained citizenship until 2007.

Belbin has been able to compete for the United States in international competitions including the world championships, where she and Agosto won a silver medal in March. But only American citizens can be on the Olympic team.

Under the measure signed by Bush on Friday, Belbin and other people "of extraordinary ability" are allowed to take advantage of changes in immigration rules that speed up the process. Since 2002, individuals like Belbin have been allowed to apply for a green card and visa at the same time, rather than waiting 18 to 24 months.

The new measure shortens the residency requirement from five to three years between the receipt of the green card and the date of their eligibility for naturalization. It applies to those who began their naturalization process before July 2002.

The Olympic team will be chosen at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis, which begin January 10. Belbin and Agosto have won the last U.S. two dance titles.