My situation is rather complex. I was illegaly entered into the United States at the age of two, and ever since, I was raised "American". I have assimilated to the American culture, and I am very fond of America (except for the cultural hegemony,the anti-intellectual attitude , aspects America could improve on). My life-long goal is to become a citizen of this country, however I am not well read in immigration law, having been misinformed about it, and its tendency to lack objectivity. I currently am a student at the local community college (math major) in Southern CA. My parents, also illegals, offered to pay my tuition, but I do not want them to. I feel that my higher education should be at my expense, on the account that a) I'm 18 yrs old, and b) it builds character and financial responsibility.
However, my circumstances undermine my goal of independently paying for college. How can I go about being a legal citizen? Should I return to Mexico? What's in my best interest?
2006-09-06 21:07:28 · 12 answers · asked by je suis tres desole 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
If you have been in the USA for nearly 20 years you may have been covered by some amnesty.
The chances of you being discovered and deported are slim. You could not have committed any crime at the age of 2. But if you leave the USA and try to re-enter fraudulently (typically by saying you are a US citizen) you can be prosecuted and deported without the right to return for up to ten years. See this story: http://www.uniset.ca/naty/maternity/wt_myrnadick.htm
Yours is one of those cases where it may be best to do nothing on the assumption that you may marry and start a family and gain rights that way. You really ought to consult with a senior immigration lawyer or immigration charity about your options and strategy.
Good luck.
2006-09-06 21:12:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I remember a piece on 20/20 a few years ago where this guy was in a very similar situation as you are.
He was living in Utah and graduated from High school, was attending collage and was upstanding illegal citizen.
He went to try to become a US citizen becuase of his situation. He was given a court date where an immigration judge decided he had to go back to El Salvador and apply to enter the US.
He too was here from like the age of one!!!
So if I was you, I would be very careful and not listen to some answers you got here. You may wind up in a country you dont even know.
See a lawyer.
2006-09-06 21:37:38 · answer #2 · answered by viajero_intergalactico 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Should you go back to Mexico"? What?!?! Why would you do that. You're a drop in the bucket. The problem with illegal immigration is alot bigger than you and you wouldn't accomplish anything by doing that.
The money your parents were willing to spend on your education -- use that to get advice and help from an immigration lawyer. I doubt that when you were two years old you came here all by yourself, right? Your parents brought you here, right? So if you want to be here legally and they have the resources to fix what they did wrong, take them up on it. They are responsible for the predicament you are in and they have a responsibility to do right by you.
2006-09-07 00:46:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
dont listen to some of the answers given wait it out to see what ahead if all fails when you graduate and fall in love and marry your wife can sponsor you by petition this would mean you having to temporarily leave the usa till you are called for your interview
2006-09-07 06:32:24 · answer #4 · answered by aldo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have amnesty, all you have to do is bring your school records from grade school to the Dept of Naturalization and ask for form b189s
2006-09-06 21:14:59 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you wanna go from illegal to citizen? you serious?
wait until they adopt this new law to legalize illegal immigrants.
And don't go back to Mexico until they force you to.
2006-09-06 23:49:05 · answer #6 · answered by Ben 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if all else fail, try to marry the homeless for 500 bucks, they'll appreciate yr support
2006-09-06 21:36:44 · answer #7 · answered by Wiseguy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you have to wait for the next amnesty, if they catch you now, you won't be eligible for a new visa for another 20 years
2006-09-06 21:18:14 · answer #8 · answered by acid tongue 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You earned your stay. When you become a citizen, help those that are in the same shoes you are.
2006-09-06 21:13:09 · answer #9 · answered by QUE PASA?? 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Call ICE, and tell them about your situation .
2006-09-06 22:12:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋