What it Means to be American

Diana Madalo pictured with her husband Naseem, son Manuel, and daughter Maria.

Asking Chaldeans

By Jenna Abroo

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its 250th birthday, commemorating a century and a half since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Since then, America has gone through some growing pains: war, growth, hardship, and renewal, evolving into the country many of us proudly call home.

Millions of people from all over the world left their homelands to build brand new lives here. The United States is known as the “land of opportunity,” a place for hardworking individuals  to pursue the American Dream of success, security, and freedom.

Our Chaldean community in the American diaspora is no stranger to the idea of leaving home in search of a better life. Many families fled religious persecution, political instability, war, and violence. The largest wave of Chaldean immigration occurred between the 1960s and 1980s, helping establish communities such as Chaldean Town on Detroit’s east side. Today, Chaldean Americans have made significant contributions to the nation’s economy, culture, and society, particularly in Metro Detroit.

In honor of America’s upcoming 250th birthday, I sat down with members of our community—starting with my own family—and asked a simple question:

As America approaches its 250th birthday, what does being an American mean to you?

My Baba, Hussam Abroo, 55, of Sterling Heights, moved to the United States at the end of 1989.

“Coming to America is a dream that many people around the world have, and I feel grateful to be part of that,” he said. “Being an American gave me the opportunity to raise my family somewhere safe. We came here for democracy and freedom, and it is our job to maintain those values and not take them for granted, especially in today’s uncertain political times.”

My uncle, John Abroo, 54, of Troy, shared a similar perspective.

“Being an American means living in a place where you are free to make your own choices,” he said. “Our history is unique, and although we have made mistakes, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to learn, evolve, and enjoy the freedoms our country provides.”

It was especially interesting to hear from younger members of our community. Ranald Allos, 17, of Sterling Heights, offered this perspective:

“Being a Chaldean American allows me to pursue my dreams while remaining proud of my culture. My ancestry comes from Iraq, but I was born in the United States, so I have a connection to both countries. Being an American allows me to enjoy freedom and endless opportunities to express myself and achieve my goals.”

Diana Madalo, 41, of Sterling Heights, said being an American means “having freedom, opportunity, and hope for a better future. I am grateful to call the United States home for myself and my family.”

Many people I spoke with expressed gratitude for the freedoms and liberties available in the United States—freedoms that were often absent in Iraq for much of our community’s history.

Georgia Kaskorkis, 50, of Troy, reflected on that reality. “America is a wonderful place to live,” she said. “Being an American means we are free, and I am thankful for that. Freedom is important, and many people around the world do not have the freedoms we enjoy here.”

Daliyeh Kashat-Abroo, 53, of Macomb, echoed that sentiment. “Being an American means being proud of my Chaldean roots while also being proud to be part of this country,” she said. “Although I was not born here, I was raised in the land of opportunity, freedom, and democracy, and that means a lot to me.”

In addition to freedom, another common theme emerged throughout these conversations: safety.

Yasar Horamoni, 66, of Utica, recalled why her family came to the United States. “We came because it was no longer safe to live in our home country,” she said. “I am grateful to be an American because I was able to raise my children in a safe environment. There is nothing more important than that.”

I ended my interviews with a dear friend, Asmaa Jamil, 60, of Troy.

“Being an American means having unlimited opportunities,” Jamil said. “Opportunities to educate myself at any age, opportunities to start a business and access resources, opportunities to engage with people from different cultures and learn from them, opportunities to participate in my local community, and the freedom to be the person I want to be.”

What stood out to me most was that nearly every interview ended with the same phrase: “God bless America.”

Despite their different ages, backgrounds, and experiences, each person expressed deep appreciation for both their heritage and their American identity. They remain proud of where they came from while also embracing the lives they have built here.

Their responses were a reminder that being American means something a little different to each of us. Yet common themes emerged again and again—freedom, opportunity, safety, gratitude, and hope. As our nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence, those values remain at the heart of the American story and of the stories shared by so many in our Chaldean community.