The United States was built on a foundation of worldwide immigration. From that foundation comes a rich history of people, of all backgrounds, who came together under the common values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

For Airman 1st Class Marian Tawfik, 305th Aerial Port Squadron air transportation specialist at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, coming to America was a dream fulfilled. The journey was, at times, a perilous one, but has formed an immense sense of gratitude towards the rights and privileges many take for granted.

“I originally came to the U.S. from Minya, which is the capital of Upper Egypt,” Tawfik said. “Growing up, I always wanted to live in America and be a part of the culture. I looked at Americans’ opportunities, their rights and their overall quality of life and wanted those things for myself.”

Tawfik identifies as Coptic, which is a class of people in Egypt under Sharia Law who openly practice Christianity. Coptics make up roughly 20% of the population in Egypt and have been the targets of violence for decades leading up to the present day.

“When I was a young girl, I remember attending mass and having to hide from a man who came into our church and opened fire during the service,” Tawfik said. “I believe around 17 people were killed that day; incidents like that are commonplace for Coptics, even now, and that made observing my faith difficult.”

The situation worsened for Tawfik during the Arab Spring, roughly a decade ago, where a series of anti-government uprisings across the region left approximately 40 Coptic churches burned or damaged.

“It was after this time that I was able to apply for the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program through the U.S. Embassy,” Tawfik said. “Through this program, selectees were drawn at random and given priority for visa’s free of cost. I was in shock when I realized I was one of those selected and that my dream of coming to America would be realized.”

In 2016, Tawfik was able to successfully immigrate to the U.S. and took up residency in Bayonne, New Jersey. There, she secured employment at a local steakhouse after going door to door in search of work.

“From the State Department to the local church that took me in, and especially my employers at that steakhouse, everyone was very kind to me,” Tawfik said. “They went out of their way to help me make a home here and even learn more English.”

Overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and new opportunities afforded to her under democracy, Tawfik desired to give back. Seeing service in the U.S. military as the ultimate reciprocity, she approached an Air Force recruiter and expressed her desire to enlist.

“The recruiter really worked with me despite my limited understanding of the language,” Tawfik said. I was also quickly approaching the age limit to serve and was concerned if I would be able to graduate in time.”

Airman 1st Class Marian Tawfik, 305th Aerial Port Squadron air transportation specialist, in-processes travelers at the 305th APS Passenger Terminal April 19, 2023, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Tawfik, an immigrant from Minya, Egypt, won a diversity Visa through the U.S. Embassy lottery and eventually attained her citizenship in the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matt Porter)

Airman 1st Class Marian Tawfik, 305th Aerial Port Squadron air transportation specialist, in-processes travelers at the 305th APS Passenger Terminal, April 19, 2023, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Tawfik, an immigrant from Minya, Egypt, won a diversity Visa through the U.S. Embassy lottery and eventually attained her citizenship in the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matt Porter)

Airman 1st Class Marian Tawfik, 305th Aerial Port Squadron air transportation specialist, in-processes travelers at the 305th APS Passenger Terminal on April 19, 2023, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Tawfik, an immigrant from Minya, Egypt, won a diversity Visa through the U.S. Embassy lottery and eventually attained her citizenship in the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matt Porter)

Source: U.S.Air Force