DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - Dirk Nowitzki has taken the first steps towards becoming a U.S. citizen, Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Following his retirement, Nowitzki has said several times, including on the Ben and Skin Show on 105.3 The Fan, that Dallas is now his family's home. So it's no surprise he and his Swedish wife, Jessica, want to make it official.
"We're in the process of getting a green card," Nowitzki said. "So once we accomplish that, then you have to be a green-card holder for, I think, over five years before you can even think about doing that [becoming a U.S. citizen]. So we're going to do that and see how it goes. But obviously our [three] kids were born here and they all have U.S. passports and the wifey and I have been on a visa for the last few years.
"So hopefully that's going to be accomplished soon."
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Nowitzki can apply for full citizenship five years to the day after obtaining a green card.
