I have a friend who is 20 years old he was brought into the country at the age of 3 and has been here since. He has finished Highschool and has graduated from a technical school. He has never been arrested, and has a job. What can he do to become legal? how long will it take? and how much would it cost?
2006-11-21 13:57:07 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
He should marry an American girl.
2006-11-21 14:03:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 6⤋
He has been in the country illegally pre-1986, so if the deadline is still extended(as it has been many times) for the amnesty he may be eligible- but he will have to prove how long he has been here.
Naturalization requirements:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=12e596981298d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=96719c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
He is going to have to apply for a green card first or immigrant visa number, as naturalization requirements specify he must have resided here legally for 5 years. It can take awhile(years) to wait for, especially if he is originally from a high demand country. The form for permanent residency costs about 300 or so dollars to file. I can't help you on the costs of the other forms-as I don't know- but someone from Immigration can.
There are free organizations that could help him, the Catholic church and La Raza(if he is hispanic) often help people get legal. He could also go to legal aid. USCIS also is available for advice(but not as a sub for a lawyer, if that is needed or desired) and will give you information on non-profit organizations that help legalize people.
2006-11-21 14:17:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Boy, these are some really uninformed answers! Your friend missed several amnesties that were offered, the last one ended in 2001. As it is now, there is only one legal way for him to gain his status. If he can prove that he entered legally (through a port of entry, ie. on an airline or cruiseline) and he marries a U.S. citizen and has a valid marriage (not for the purpose of obtaining a green card), his spouse can apply for him. It currently costs $745 to file all of the forms necessary.
If he entered illegally, he cannot legally gain status at this time. If he was to marry a citizen and apply, they would deport him. If he goes home and tries, he will be barred from re-entry for 10 years. I highly suggest that he consult a immigration attorney (NOT AN "IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT"!) You should find the following website helpful: http://visalaw.com/
2006-11-21 18:59:52 · answer #3 · answered by Well, you asked... 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He needs a sponser, he will have to file paperwork, wait, pay processing fees, get a lawyer and he will most likely be deported to a country he has never known really for 1-10 years depending on the judge.
2006-11-21 14:07:27 · answer #4 · answered by Carol R 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He should have applied for green card. He can still, then apply for citizenship afterwards.
He should be eligeble for it. Check with a law professional on this or go to local INS office to grab an application. The application should list the requirement and cost. Won't be costly.
2006-11-21 14:07:29 · answer #5 · answered by Zeta 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To become legal he should go back to his country of origin and come in legally. I am sure he is a good person, but he is still illegal.
2006-11-21 14:05:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
He can graduate from school, but can't figure out the difference between trespassing and immigrating. Is he that stupid? Or just that lazy? Send him home.
2006-11-21 14:32:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
He doesn't have to worry, with the democrats in congress and our dumb President their will be amnesty soon. Then after amnesty is declared their will be another 60 million illegals coming over here, and another amnesty and another and another. then we will live in a hell hole and taxes so high you won't be able to live a descent life.
2006-11-21 15:36:57 · answer #8 · answered by hexa 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
tell him to call immigrations. it's better to find out from them or a lawyer can help. that is a good trade to take back to his country. he can open his own company there to.
2006-11-21 14:27:24 · answer #9 · answered by loretta 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He should go home and find out! Just because he has not ben caught breaking the law doesn't mean he's not a criminal
2006-11-21 14:05:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
tell your friend not to worry about the cost,the American people will be more then happy to pay for his deportation
2006-11-21 14:05:07 · answer #11 · answered by ironman 4 · 6⤊ 1⤋