| | Published July 4th, 2012
| New Citizen a (U.S. Lottery) Winner
| | Cathy Dausman |  | | Michael Hamiche holds his Certificate of Naturalization Photo Cathy Dausman
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Moraga grocery shoppers might mistakenly assume the smiling checker's French-tinged English accent means he's French. But Michael Hamiche also speaks Italian, Spanish, Arabic, a Berber dialect, and is learning Japanese. This newly naturalized citizen's language skills could put most native English speakers to shame.
Born Boudjema Hamiche, his long and interesting journey from North Africa to the East Bay is a classic Fourth of July immigrant story. Hamiche's journey culminated in a ceremony for 1,000 people in Oakland Coliseum in 2011, but it began decades ago in The People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, a North African country three times the size of Texas with a population roughly that of California.
Hamiche comes from a small village in the Djurdjura mountains (part of the Atlas Mountains chain) in the Algerian Province of Kabylie. "I am Berber, [which is] native North African," he says. "I share ancestry with Saint Augustine and Saint Monica."
The Bay Area's Mediterranean climate reminds him of home. Hamiche has 11 siblings scattered across the western world. His parents, two sisters and three brothers live in Algeria; three brothers live in France, one brother lives in Texas and a sister lives in Canada. Another brother lived in Canada until his death in 2008. It was he who submitted Hamiche's name as an applicant for a U.S. visa.
Hamiche was a student majoring in biology when he enlisted in the Algerian army in 1992. He served for two years then headed to southern Algeria to look for work. His first job was as a waiter; he later worked for an Italian and then a French catering company. Next Hamiche landed a job as a translator for the Spanish oil company Cepsa (Algeria exported over 50 billion dollars in petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products in 2010; the U.S. was its biggest customer that year).
Hamiche's interest in the United States began when he watched the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics on television. "Since I was 18, I have wanted to visit," he said. "I like the greatness of the States."
In 2003 Hamiche's brother entered Hamiche's name in the U.S. "green card lottery" from Canada, even paying a $50 fee to expedite processing. The lottery, also known as the Diversity Visa Program, grants 50,000 U.S. visas annually to people from around the world.
Hamiche promptly forgot about it. But when Hamiche called home, his mother told him about an official-looking letter he'd received. He thought it was a scam until his brother read him the letter's contents. Hamiche was in disbelief; he had to actually see the Immigration and Naturalization Service letter for himself.
When he saw the paper's watermark, he knew it was real. He submitted his forms and waited. In August 2004, Hamiche was called to complete a medical exam and an oral interview in Tunesia. He spoke his "very best English," having practiced before on a written English exam.
A 90-minute wait for test results followed the seven-hour process. Finally, the word came: "You can go [to the United States]."
"I was dizzy," Hamiche said. "I can go! I'm accepted!" He enclosed his case worker in a bear hug which lifted her clear off the ground. The citizen-to-be was so thrilled that he also tipped his cab driver 10 times the normal amount on his ride home.
Hamiche and his family had mixed feelings about his leaving Algeria, as did the company superiors to whom he tendered his resignation. It turned out his manager was from Florida and he gave him a good reference. In January 2005 Hamiche flew first to France, stopped in Atlanta, Georgia, finally arriving in San Francisco.
A friend hosted Hamiche during his first month in the U.S. He found employment at a sporting goods and grocery store and moved to Moraga. He says he worked seven days a week the first two years, getting by on very little sleep.
After five years of studies Boudjema Hamiche passed his test and became a naturalized citizen November 30, 2011. Dressed in a suit and tie, he felt "like a groom." He also legally changed his name to Michael Hamiche, although he says "I am still adjusting to my new name."
Today the busy Moraga resident juggles work and school. The Safeway checker was named April Employee of the Month at Moraga Safeway. He's pursuing an electronics certificate at Diablo Valley College and plans to transfer to U.C. Davis to study electrical engineering. After hours, Hamiche likes to cook, hike, fish and entertain. The self-proclaimed "country boy" has also earned five marathon medals in Sacramento, San Francisco and Modesto. He eventually hopes to qualify for a spot in the Boston marathon.
Even when he's not running, Hamiche seems to race through life. And, since November 30, 2011 if you ask him where he's from, he'll say: "Now, I'm from here."
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA