A FORUM FOR COMMUNITY ISSUES : Platform : Immigrants on Voting: ‘Americans Can Stand Up and Speak’ : BELLA BRIL, 60, Russia / <i> Social worker, Hollywood</i>

When I lived in Russia and there was an election, we were almost obliged to vote. Usually there was only one name on the ballot for each office.

But we didn’t even question that, because we were raised during a time when it was dangerous to ask. Of course we knew that at the end of election day there would be a big celebration, and they would tell us that 99% of the voters had voted for whoever was on the ballot.

When I first arrived here it was a presidential election year. I couldn’t believe people on the street could express their feelings so openly, even saying bad things about people in power. I was almost afraid to listen. I thought it was dangerous. But ever since, I have been very interested in any kind of political debate or discussion.

I became a U.S. citizen as soon as I could, five years after I arrived. You know what I felt the first time I voted here? I felt respected, that I could express my opinion that way. I fell in love with this country from the first moment I came here. I love the people and my job, which is helping other refugees to get settled.