When I became a U.S. citizen earlier this year, it was the culmination of an unexpected journey that started thousands of miles away.
I’m from a small Romanian town called Mizil
, about 50 miles north of Bucharest. Like many immigrants, I came to the United States looking for work and adventure. What I didn’t realize was that I would also find a career in trucking, a family and a community that would help me build a future.Growing up in Romania, I was always fascinated by the world beyond my hometown. I learned English by watching American movies with English subtitles, never imagining that language would eventually help me build a life in the United States. Today, such language skills are absolutely essential to fueling your success.
I came to the US on a work visa. It led to my own American dream.
In 2019,
I arrived on an H-2B work visa to work with a trucking company called Interstate Moving, Relocation, Logistics. The plan was simple: Work for a few months and then return home.
Things didn’t turn out that way, but I now have a better story to tell – the one about the American dream as an immigrant.
I know that there are often heated conversations around immigration. I’ve found that when you clear away the noise, there’s something for everyone in a story about respecting the process, getting the right support along the way and seeing clearly that dreams are attainable.
I started at Interstate with training in a mock home environment in the basement of its headquarters. The company created this first-ever “fake” home to teach new packers and movers the fundamentals of handling furniture and household goods safely. It was a unique introduction to the industry and showed me how seriously the company takes training and professionalism.
What I didn’t expect was that company would become much more than a workplace – it would become family. I met my wife in the office, where she worked in customer care, and our relationship gave me a powerful reason to stay and build a future here.
How I navigated the immigration system
The road to permanent residency was not easy. Like many immigrants navigating the system, I had to go through a lengthy process to obtain my green card. During part of that process, I was unable to work.
That period was challenging. But Interstate never treated me as temporary labor. The company stayed in touch and made it clear they wanted me back once the process was complete. Knowing I had a job waiting for me gave me confidence during an uncertain time.
When I returned to work, the company’s leadership encouraged me to think bigger about my future in the industry and consider getting out on the road myself. They introduced me to the owner-operator model and helped me understand the opportunities it could provide.
Owning your own rig isn’t simply about driving a truck. You’re running a business on wheels. That means managing people, coordinating operations, solving problems and making decisions every day.
The responsibility is greater, and the work can be more demanding. But the rewards are greater, too.
I wanted to become a US citizen on my own – and succeeded
Becoming a truck owner resonated with me, given my experiences with starting several businesses back home, which taught me the value of hard work, persistence and problem-solving.
For me, becoming an independent owner-operator represented a chance to combine the entrepreneurial mindset I developed in Romania with the opportunities available in America. It enabled me to build something of my own while continuing to serve customers and support my team.
Throughout that journey, I found mentors and encouragement from people who believed in my potential. They didn’t just see me as a driver. They saw someone capable of building and growing a business.
Becoming an American citizen was something I wanted to do on my own. I had hired an attorney during the green card stage, but this time I wanted to learn the requirements and complete the paperwork myself. It was another challenge, but one that gave me a sense of accomplishment and confidence.
So when I finally took the oath and swore allegiance, my colleagues celebrated alongside me. It was an incredible moment, made all the more meaningful by the support of friends and colleagues.
Now I’m chasing the American dream every day, fueled by hard work, persistence and the backing of people who believe in me.
I came to the United States expecting to stay for a few months. Instead, I found a career, met my wife, became an owner-operator and earned my citizenship.
That’s my dream. And I’m here to say that journeys like mine aren’t always quick and easy. But it’s my hope that my story of what can be accomplished with mutual respect and diligence will inspire someone else to do the same.
Mihai David is an owner-operator and independent contractor with Interstate Moving, Relocation, Logistics. Originally from Romania, Mihai became an American citizen in February 2026. He lives in Woodbridge, Virginia.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: I'm a new US citizen. Here's what people miss in immigration debate.
