Why is this unfair?

Question

My Mother and I came to the US Legally in 2001.
My Mother was a teacher of english in Brasil but I had not learnt english yet. (I do now). When my mother married an American we had to wait 2 years to become legal residents because we over-stayed our Visas. My stepdad understood what was happening and petitioned for us to stay. My mother and I are very happy with our life here. I plan on going to college as I will graduate from high school this year. If it wasnt for my stepdad, I would not have had this oppurtunity as Brasil is very poor. I owe my stepdad everything as does my mother. My question is why do those who come to America illegally expect to be granted everything when people like my mom and others like her have had to wait and wait and be told we had to wait some more?

PETEY, my stepfather has told me many times what the difference is that my mom and I came in legally. We had documentaion to prove we came in legally. For us, it was a matter of just sponsership. Yes, we are grateful for my stepdad. and we are grateful to this country, is that answer good enough?

BLURSD2, We are going to try for citizenship this next year, and I will be 18 then. tudo bem?

Answer 1

Your type of Immigration has always been and always will be TOTALLY acceptable. Hard work and perserverance pay off in the long run. Congrats to you and your Mom, and thanks for painting a picture VERY different than the illegals want to paint of Americans.

Your Step-Dad is a pretty special person too!

Answer 2

Eu tenho a mesma problema ... (Sou norte-americano mas eu morava no Brasil antigamente) ;)

It is beyond me why all these illegal immigrants think they are entitled to so much when the fact of the matter is they are breaking the law. I have several friends in the United States like you, who immigrated legally, and for most of them it was a real fight to be able to stay in the US -- they're wayyyyy more passionate about illegal immigration than I am (meaning they get really pissed off when people are rewarded for immigrating illegally). Why should people who break the rules get the same benefits (and sometime even better ones) than those who are trying to follow the rules? That just doesn't make any sense ...

I can tell you from my own experience it has pissed me off too. I lived in Sweden for several years while working on my Ph.D, and as part of my stay I was required to apply for a resident visa with the Swedish Consulate in Los Angeles. What do you think would happen if I showed up in Sweden, and they asked "where is your visa," and I responded "Oh ... I didn't feel like applying for one, but I'm here now, so gimme, gimme, gimme." They would have kicked my butt out of the country faster than you could say jumping jack flash.

Or better yet ... when I lived in Brazil I was not only required to apply for a resident visa before I arrived in the country ... I was also required to check in the Policia Federal (Federal Police) every 6 months. Part of the process required fingerprinting (every time). What do you think they would have done if I said "I don't feel like doing that ... I don't like your rules, so I'm just going to do my own thing?" Not only would they kick me out of the country ... they never allow me back in.

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Good luck with your citizenship test ... Espero tudo de bom pra vc e sua familia. Sejam bem vindos aos Estados-Unidos.

Answer 3

You are right. My husband came to the USA 35 years ago from communist Hungary. He did it legally after escaping under pressure and could have been shot crossing the border. He waited in a refugee camp for one year in Italy while Interpol did a background check on him. He was sponsered by a group of manufacturers in the USA. They paid for his airfare and 2 week rent in a seedy hotel. He went to night school to learn English and worked hard in a factory by day. he didn't know anyone in the US but did it all on his own. I think he is an example to all Americans how you can make it here if you try.

Answer 4

It is because they are idiots . I am personally happy the are people like you in this country. You are here legally, you learned English and you will make a wonderful addition to our country. Good luck in everything you do.

Answer 5

got to agree with you here....we came here with US Navy husband and after paying out a shed load of money it REALLY sticks in my throat that the ones that tumble over the border may well be given what we have worked and paid for for FREE...........we have had the back ground checks etc and bring many things to the table not least that we are fairly well off and have medical etc etc so in no way do I feel we are a drain on the USA as a whole.........

Regards and hope that you carry forward with you in your life that type of mind set and work ever harder for your goals and your CHOSEN country.

Answer 6

Thats the point that we all are trying to make . There are legal channels and yes it can be done but the name of the game is patience and perseverance, Illegals are looking for instant gratification.

Answer 7

how about the people that have been here longer than u?is it fair that u just come here ur mom gets married to a citizen and u become a permanent resident that easily?You should be thankful this man took u guys in, but you have no right to question others when u were in that position.you are waiting two years imagine people that have been waiting up to 15 yrs????in other words don't come to question others because u got lucky ok.

Answer 8

It's not fair. My mother came here legally when she was four and her family was sponsered by a priest my grandfather met on his ham radio. It was hard work getting his family in, he didn't just sneak in and expect to be granted rights.

Answer 9

Exactly. Your a perfect example of why illegals need to return home. There is a process and a reason, you cant come here just because you want to. Our country will be overrun in absolutely no time if we do not make a stand right now. I do not begrudge those seeking a better life but not at my countries expense.

Answer 10

It isn't fair and needs to be changed so future legal immigrants don't have go through so much red tape. You did it the correct way, thank you and welcome to America!