Canadian-Born Singer Tamia Takes Oath To Become A U.S. Citizen

Jet, Sept 18, 2000

Tamia, the popular singer and wife of former Detroit Piston Grant Hill, recently became an American citizen during a private ceremony in Detroit, The Detroit Free Press reported.

Senior U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Damon J. Keith administered the oath of citizenship to the 24-year-old songstress, who is a native of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, to complete a seven-month process. Tamia, who will retain dual citizenship, was eligible for U.S. citizenship after having had her green card for three years.

Grant Hill, who recently signed with the Orlando Magic, said the move made sense because of various "legal issues" he learned of after he and Tamia married.

"As far as our future, we're planning to be in the United States," he told the newspaper.

Tamia swore to take up arms on behalf of the U.S. if necessary, but admitted, "I'm still a Canadian at heart," the Free Press reported.