Centralia man, 95, has U.S. citizenship confirmed

SEATTLE — Leland Davidson always knew he was an American. Now he’ll have a certificate from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to prove it.

The 95-year-old Davidson, a resident of Centralia, was born in British Columbia to parents from the United States. The family moved back to the U.S. when he was 5. Davidson grew up and served in the Navy during World War II.

He recently applied for an enhanced driver’s license so he could visit Canada. But when he was asked for proof of citizenship, he had nothing to show but his Canadian birth certificate.

Davidson’s family began to worry he could lose his Medicare and Social Security. With help from KOMO-TV and Sen. Patty Murray’s office, Davidson received an application for citizenship.

Then he located proof that his parents were born in America, which automatically makes him a U.S. citizen.

He also qualifies for citizenship for having served in World War II, said Sharon Rummery, an Immigration Services spokeswoman. And he did not have to pay the usual $600 fee for the certificate. It takes the place of a birth certificate as proof of U.S. citizenship.

Davidson is one of about 60 people having their citizenship confirmed in a ceremony Tuesday in Seattle. Most are children of parents who have become naturalized citizens or who were adopted from overseas.

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