I am not mexican but i'm from the caribbean..I been here in the u.s since i was 6 and im 18 now. Went to school, graduated high school and got my diploma. I didnt realize that i wasnt a citizen til i tried to get into college and i couldnt really pay for it because i wasnt getting any financial aid. So rite now im really stressed because my life isnt goin the way i want it. What process would i have to go through, should i get a lawyer, do i even need one? How long would i have to wait?
2006-06-26 07:58:13 · 7 answers · asked by luvless 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
If you came here with your parents, and you were only 6 years old; if, before your 18th birthday, they became citizens and they put your name on the papers at that time, you would automatically be a citizen. However, you must contact the Homeland (in)Security / Immigration something or other and find out how to make your citizenship official.
2006-06-26 08:10:02 · answer #1 · answered by mrearly2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can always apply for a student visa and while you are at school you can apply for a green card. I'm not sure where you live but you can contact the Immigration Department, which you can find on line or in a phone book, and they can give you more information on it. I'm sure since you have been in the US so long that the student visa will not be a problem. I moved here from England 8 years ago and went through the Green Card process which takes FOREVER!! Good luck with that, and a lawyer wouldn't be neccessary i promise you!
2006-06-26 08:04:44 · answer #2 · answered by Alie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your parents have already become Naturalized Citizens, all you should have to do is take their certificates of Naturalization to any passport office (usually your local post office), and your birth certificate. They will verify all your info and you might be able to get a U.S. Passport. That is, if you're not married yet. If you're married, and to a U.S. citizen, you can file an I-485 for an adjustment of status, and then when that gets granted, you file an N-400 to become a Naturalized citizen.
If you're not married, and one or both of your parents have become citizens, but you want the certificate proving that you've been Naturalized as well, you will file an N-600. Your parents will need to provide their certificates of naturalization, and your birth certificate in order to file this application. I used to work at an immigration office as support staff, so I know some of the processes that go on. You're going to need lots of documentation that you've lived in the States since you were 6, and lots of patience. And getting that certificate isn't cheap. I think an N-600 application is around $300, and if you have to go through the entire adjustment of status, and then apply for naturalization, it's going to be $700-$800, or maybe more. If you're lucky, one or both of your parents have already Naturalized, and you can just have them take you to apply for a passport, and that pretty much makes you a citizen, once you get that. I'm pretty sure this is accurate, but if you're in doubt, go to www.dhs.gov and find their link for immigration.
2006-06-26 08:17:51 · answer #3 · answered by j.f. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your problems are too complicated to answer in a forum like this. You need to find out what your status is, and fix it if it's wrong. Your parents should know...are they with you in the US? You might have been in the US illegally for years. You can't apply for a green card unless you're a legal immigrant. And to apply for a student visa you'll have to leave the US and might not be able to re-enter.
You need to talk with either USCIS or a good immigration attorney (there are plenty of bad ones) who can help you sort out your situation. Go to AILA for a recommendation, or else join the Yahoo Immigration Group; there are knowledgable people there who will ask you a lot of questions and help you figure it out.
2006-06-26 08:08:41 · answer #4 · answered by dognhorsemom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it's better for you to get a lawyer.. in your case tahts' not your fault. get a lawyer and consult him with this one. you can get your green card . are you sure your are not resident? did your parents have green cards? if they do or you do then you can apply citizenship. citizenship based on what year you became a resident. usually you can get a citizenship 5-10 years after you got your greencard.
but if not. then you can just ask a lawyer. i don't think it will be hard for you since you got here since you were young:)hope this helps:) goodluck
2006-06-26 09:52:24 · answer #5 · answered by tarafonxyka 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
did your parents came here legally? if not, then you have a big problem especially now they are very strict on illegal aliens.
whatever visa your parents have, that should be the same visa you got.
for more info : www.uscis.gov
2006-06-26 08:10:46 · answer #6 · answered by belle♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are born legally , since you have been tehre aas a child , just get a counsellor, and he or she will refer you to the lawyer , i bet you will not regret , you have been neglected too long ,
2006-06-26 08:18:11 · answer #7 · answered by aliajao 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋