From deportation to citizenship: FDNY EMT officially becomes an American

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A New York City EMT took a big step this week from possible deportation to citizenship after years of legal battles.

Mohammad Sarfaraz Hussain's issues started in 2003, when the government tried to deport him for not having proper papers. Fast forward 11 years, and he is now a US citizen proudly serving the FDNY.

He has lived here since he was 8 years old, and he certainly felt like an American. It was all he knew, and now he finally has that validation.

"The certificate itself did not change anything for me," he said. "I always felt American. It's more of a validation, a commemoration that I'm part of the American family."

Hussain was just a senior in high school when he was almost sent back to his native Pakistan.

"A lot of anxiety and depression when it first came about," he said.

His parents had passed away, and all he had was his uncle, Kamal Ahmed, in Queens, who took him in.

"I feel really terrified because no one is there," Ahmed said. "He's a teenager. Who's going to take care of him over there?"

Then lawyer Elizabeth Ouyang came around and helped him every step of the way, including getting him political asylum.

"I knew he could not be safe until he became an American citizen," she said. "And so today was a great relief. And I'm very very proud of him."

On Thursday, he got the certificate that he's waited so long to hold in his hands. Now, he plans to frame it.