Immigration Law...?

Question

I would like to know what people think about my situation.
I am British, married to an American. I am a teacher and would love to teach in America, but can't because I am tied up in the mass of paperwork that is immigration.
However other people who came into America illegally can work...

Just want your opinions.

PS... I am not planning on applying for American citizenship... I intend to retain my British citizenship. Our children, (when we have em), will be dual citizens.

PPS: in response to comments: Marrying a US citizen gives you no rights what so ever until you put in some paperwork with USCIS, (immigration). I am here in the country at our expense my paperwork was put in April 2005. It was lost at the immigration office so this slowed the process. I am nearing the end of it all and should be a legal resident by end of summer....
I just wondered what people thought... legal educated immigrant who wants to bring something to the US v's an illegal immigrant who wants to better their life situation????

Answer 1

I say "More power to you", We need all the Teachers we can get. I don't know how it works, but if we can hire Nurses from out of the country, then you should be able to work here as a Teacher as well, check with the immigration Dept. I know it's a pain in the rear, but stick to it, it'll all work out.. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

This is what is angering Americans as well, a skilled person like yourself should already have been allowed under temp visa, until your citizenship is approved. I believe there is even a program to assist immigrants like yourselves in doing just that.
I am not sure how it is done, but I know your local immigration office will know.
I am a tenth generation American that is working very hard to stop the insults these ciminals bestow upon the good immigrants who should be allowed to come here.
Many Americans have even stopped calling them immigrants, and those that do are supporters of these illegals. Join our fight. continue to speak out against them. The more Immigrants that help Americans stand against them, the more real immigrants will have jobs when they migrate here. Americans are also working hard ro revise the current immigration laws that make it difficult for skilled workers to enter the country. Americans want immigrants in our country, both skilled, and unskilled, but our laws must be honored, or we can not believe their plight. I have a friend from Russia that migrated here legally to escape the sex slave trade in her country. However, there was little money in programs to educate her, and support her at the same time, so while her limited education as secretary was being paid for, she had to turn to the sex slave industry here to pay her bills. This is a good women, that would never poison her body with drugs, and she is far too smart just to be a secretary. But, as she reminds me when I get angry about it. "It is all worth it because once I have finished my education I can get a real job, and become a real American, then I can pay for my own education." These are the real immigrants of this country, and should be honored as such.
These illegals are nothing more than their own countries criminals that can not pass the background checks, so they do not come here legally. My friend studied in her home land, what we call the GED to help prepare her for her arrival, and survival here in America. She was stunned to learn that America had a second language, and I told her that we did not, she told me that it was an option of her education. Then she went through the advanced background check, and medical screening processes, which took almost two years.
This is an immigrant. These criminals that claim to be are nothing but people feeding off of the hardships of others, and they even create more hardships for them by stealing their identities.

Answer 3

First off, if you are married to an american you should be able to work. And you should also be very well on your way to becoming a citizen of the U.S.

Dont give me the i cant work crap cause i do have relatives that have achieved legal citizenship that way and have gotten great jobs.

My mother herself is a School teacher in Kansas City. It took her a while to get her papers too but she got them and busted her *** in college here in the U.S. now she teaches english as a second language and has her own classroom. I suggest you hang in there and for the meantime it doesnt hurt to apply at any school district of your choice at least as a teachers aid to get your foot in the door and show them what you got. I am sure once the District sees your value they will pull some strings to speed up your process and may even sponsor you for a Full Time teaching job if your Paperwork is taking too long.

Answer 4

you dont become an automatic citizen when you marry an American citizen. You have to wait a period of time before they grant you the green card (permit to work) and I dont know thse days, but it will take at least 2yrs before you can qualify for citizenship. I think probably mroe years before you can apply for citizenship.

I am Spaniard, my husband is an AMerican citizen and we both married 24yrs ago. i came in with a fiancee visa, got legally married within ten days of entering the country already hvign married by church (thats soemthing aside). Then after 6 months I got my green card and I was able to apply for citizenship a year or two after that. Though I never did apply for citizenship.

Today immigration has changed you know that.
I didnt understand if you and your hsuband live together in England now?

THE OTHER PEOPLE IN AMERICA WHO WORK ILLEGALLY COME ACROSS THE BORDER FROM MEXICO and i dont recommend you do that.

I know Britain. It may shock you around here though, teaching that is. Very different than in England.

Good luck. I would wait for the paperwork , perhaps it is that God is telling you to wait for now in Britain.

Answer 5

it's a broken system. It's sad. America is a great country, and I understand these immigration laws were put in place to protect Americans, but it's broken, I'm sorry to say. My advice to you is to register for permanent residency if you haven't done so already.

Sadly, it's a long and drawn out process, but you really have no choice. The process usually takes about 3 years to complete; however, you should be able to work immediately if you're already in the United States (Employment Authorization Document, Social Security Number, State ID). If you're not in the United States, my best bet will be to visit an American Consulate in your country. Britain? You shouldn't have any problem since your country is a member of the G7. I'm not saying this is a criteria, but imagine me from W. Africa.

Citizenship status can be obtained 3 years ensuing a bona fide marriage to an American citizen.

For more information, you can visit http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/faqsgen.htm#marriage.

Good luck. One love.

Answer 6

I think that whoever wants to be a citizen of the U.S.A. should go through the process like everyone else did. If you're married to an American, I don't see what the problem is for you to be able to work. Finish the paperwork, if that is what you have to do.
I honor what you do. Teaching is a very important service.

Answer 7

Unfortunately what you need is a lawyer. Since you're married to a US Citizen that means you're here legally and able to work. Just because the government is behind in its paperwork is not a valid legal reason to punish you.

If you find a willing employer an immigration lawyer will make sure that you can work legally.

Answer 8

Yeah I know what you mean. I know several people who have come here legally and have gone through the tons of paperwork. And allowing illegals to get jobs and live here is not fair to those who have gone about and done it the legal way. It makes no sense at all. And being married to an American it should make it easier for you, but obviously it isn't.

Answer 9

I hope you can come legally and work. In your situation it will be more than residency, though, because there are school standards as well. I remember when my parents yanked me out of the gang ridden LAUSD and put me in a Catholic School, my French teacher was unable to work in public schools (which he loudly thought was ridiculous with his credentials) because of the school board standards.

Middle class and above immigrants are a net benefit to our economy helping to subsidize rather than draining education and other services budgets. In addition, presumably your children would speak English and not drain the school of funds for ESL above our current legal immigrant budgets. (Although they may throw a stray 'u' into words like color and honor, and will need to learn to watch it.) However, as long as so many are swamping the system it makes it hard to get the paperwork backlog addressed.

Good luck.

Answer 10

Do it legally, maybe obtain a visa to work and then start working on your citizenship(if you want) Occasionally our government decides to enforce our laws, and you don't want to get caught being illegal, it IS a crime, and you could be deported. Marrying a citizen does not grant you citizenship, it will make it easier for you to get a visa than it is for some people, but you have to apply for citizenship on your own.