I came to U.S. as a child now I'am married to a U.S. citizen what can I do to get a permit to work or drive?

Question

I came to the U.S. when I was about 2 years old with my mom without permission now I 'am 20 years old and married to a U.S. citizen born here in the U.S. I know it would be ilegal to work so I dont. I feel really bad that I cant work to help us out. I have all my diplomas from all the schools I attended pre-school to high school. Some people say I have to go through a long process ,it will cost me alot of money, and I will have to leave the country. Other people say its really easy because they know people who have gotten help. But I belive those people came with permission. Please share knowledge

Answer 1

Go to http://www.visacentral.net/ They have live chats on Wednesdays at 11:00 am where you can ask questions. Laurel Scott is an immigration attorney that specializes in waivers. Thats the best advice I can give you because the only way you can gain legal status now is to apply to adjust status through your marriage to a USC. To adjust status you need to of been inspected and granted entry to the US, which you weren't. Once you turned 18 you gained illegal status. I wish you the very best.

Edited to say: Those that are stating that you can just adjust status easily by remaining in the US because you are married to a US Citizen are very mistaken. The exceptions that are usually applied if you are married to a US Citizen do not apply if you are not otherwise eligible and that includes entering the country legally i.e. been inspected and granted entry. Please seek legal advice from a competent immigration lawyer that specializes in your area of need, whereby they will be able to advise you based on ALL your circumstances. There are organizations that will assist you free of charge.

Just because someone writes what you would like to hear, does not make it correct information.

Answer 2

I'm not sure from what country you are from, but you sure did miss a lot of opportunities to become a US Citizen. Some people from particular countries have had special privileges to be a resident alien and to later on be qualify to become a US Citizen. You've been on the US for a long time. Since 911, laws have made it very hard for people in your situation to be able to work in the US or become Citizens.

You didn't say where you were born, different laws apply to people from different Nationalities. Contact a local immigration lawyer and ask them for help. If they charge a fee, ask them if they know someone or know of an organization that can give you Free Legal Advice.

Answer 3

You don't have to leave the country. In fact, if you leave, you won't be able to come back for another ten years.

what your husband needs to do is file papers so you can get your green card. I'm not sure which papers need to be filed, but basically, he files one set of papers, including papers for your work permit. Once the work permit is approved, you can begin working - this usually takes a few months, depending on where you live. At this point, you can also begin driving because when you get your work permit, you qualify also to get a social security number. Later on, you will have to go to an interview with your husband so immigration can make a decision on whether they will approve your applicatin for a green card. If they approve it, then you will be a permanent resident.

Filing all the paperwork costs money but you do not need a lawyer. Go to the immigration website (i have the link below) and read all the information carefully. Good luck.

Answer 4

It's not going to be hard actually, specially since you have not been in jail or convicted of a crime, actually now that you are married you can just go to the INS and ask for the right form, to fill out and you should be able to get a work permit, at the very worst, you have to go back to your country for two years. and that's about it, since you been here since you were two years old.. oh just because it's illegal to work you can still babysit for people and get pay for cash most people who baby sit never reported so, i don't want to hear anything from any republicans or idiots, out there if so you should tell every one else who does jobs like that for a living to pay their taxes too. anyways like i said at the worst you have to go to your country of origin if you have family members in your country it would be OK, but if you are the only one left and you don't know your country of origin native language there might be some exceptions. again some cases are different, I know someone who got married to a U.S citizen and that person recently became a US CITIZEN herself and he has a permit to work.
so it depends

Answer 5

Dont rely on unreliable information that you receive from people.If you have not commited crimes during your stay there should be a legal solution for your case.Rules are a little different about spouses of us citizens. You can find information on www.uscis.gov or you can call 1 800 375 5283 and speak with one of their representatives.The cost of work permit is about 300$ for ordinary cases which will receive it after 3 months.

Answer 6

Many times, people don't look for the right information because they are scared that something bad will happen to them. Don't be one of them. You will not be deported. Get informed. There are many places that will help you for a small fee if you cannot get a lawyer, also if you go to the immigration website, you will find so much info!

Answer 7

Try following Immigration rules.
look them up on the internet under U.S. Immigration.

Answer 8

Go to a qualified immigration attorney for sound legal advice.

Answer 9

No one on Y!A is an immigration lawyer and that is who you need to talk to.

You WILL NOT immediately get deported. They are not worried about people like you.

The only question that will come up is why did you wait until you needed something to do the right thing?