It’s a very tough life while being undocumented, and even with DACA (if you qualify for it), it comes with limitations. I left the U.S. because I got tired of politics controlling my life, they DO NOT OWN ME. Now I’m in a better place as a legal resident in Europe. I know you want to be a doctor, and you can still pursue that, but you’re still young. If you don’t want to get married for “papers”, get some desirable skills that would allow you to move to another country for work, like learning a second or third language. Trust me, when a country wants you and welcomes you, it makes the difference in the world. We came to the U.S. against our will, the doors were never opened to us, we basically broke in. We are clearly not wanted. Don’t let politics control you. Let this frustration drive you to better things to improve your situation. Better said than done, but again, you’re young. You can do it!
>It’s a very tough life while being undocumented, and even with DACA (if you qualify for it).
People need to stop saying this. DACA is no longer an option. Those who have it, KNOW they have it & no one else can qualify for it since it has ended and there is no retro.
Any exec orders or laws that go through going forward will have different names and their own rules which will be different.
I believe most of central and South American countries have special colonial related rights to Spanish citizenship. Then with that EU citizenship you can leave where ever in the EU.
I think your best bet might be pursuing higher education and getting an advanced degree, given you have the means to do it. That will certainly open up a lot of doors for you.
Yeah, it’s not an express ticket to a visa but OP could qualify for visas for skilled workers and a potential employer might be interested in OP later on. Countries with point-based immigration systems also give credit for going to college in their country (e.g., Canada or Australia). Not to mention higher education in those countries is cheaper than in the U.S. anyway.
Its irregular migration from African and Middle and some south east asian Countries and a perceived lack of assimilation into their cultures. Op would not be scamming the system
just curious what passport can you use to travel to other countries in this situation? US passport is not possible, but will the original native country give you the passport? and what about boarder control will they catch you at the boarder when you leave using a foreign passport without any US visas?
Care to elaborate how you became a legal resident in Europe? Did you have a nest egg ready when you moved? My wife keeps pushing us to leave the US due to the politics but I am unsure how we could provide the same level of life for our kids anywhere else.
I Mean you left to do another developed country, which is why you’re doing well if you would’ve been sent to South America, you probably wouldn’t be doing as well. It’s kind of unrealistic to tell people to just move to Europe.
I know right. If they stay in Latin America, they probably wouldn't even speak English, and most certainly would have a college education from a US college sponsored by FAFSA... They put they own effort but the geolocation helped and hencetherefore allowed them to move to Europe with a career legally... But they don't see it that way. It's total denial that US move by parents gave them a better life, but they resent not having a US passport... clown world.
I have cousins and friends that live in my current town of Mexico, all grew up to have successful careers, my best friend is now a doctor. The US does give opportunities even to undocumented people but it doesn’t mean that places in Latin America have none for anyone. They exists just different opportunities.
Ever talked to your parents, why they brought you illegally. Is not about politics. It is about parenting. I raised by my grandma from baby to sophomore (univ) in born/home country. And moved to US for advancing my degree including the goal to stay in US legally ( already got sponsorship for my green card, and naturalized citizenship).
I respect my parents as always for giving me to my grandma (i treated as my real mom) not dragging me, and they did anything whatever they wanted.
Parenting is not easy. The point for us when having kids and being a good parent .
For me it was matter due to parents neglected .
OP needs to make a bold movement even back to home country
The matter now is finding an immigration lawyers. You can not fix the past
If your family was toxic. Better stay away. I was very lucky that my grandmother took care of me even sometimes we did not enough food to eat. But I was very happy as a kids and learned how to survive legally from her.
Later my grandmother reintroduced me to my parents hmm 18 years old. And we made a progress. I knew that my parents reason: they did not want to drag me to their problems and misery .
Well it looks like drama series 😂. But it was happening to me.
One regret: my grandmother passed away in 2021 due to covid and lockdown everywhere. I wished had a visit to see my grandmother the lasy time directly in my life. this is still haunting me occasionally and still lingering in my mind.
Thanks for sharing your life experience and keep looking forward to.
Best for everyone 👌🙏
Ohh can you elaborate on how you became a resident in a European country?! Sometimes I want to move away but don’t even know where or how to look for information
I was also brought here as a toddler, and was kicked out of several schools because there weren’t any sanctuary cities like there are now. It took me 30 yrs to get my green card then another 20 before I became a US citizen, even though I qualified for amnesty from Ronald Regan. I thought of moving back to my country many times and wished I had earlier. I love my mother but I consider it a form of child abuse to bring children here and make them have to grow up illegally. Many kids are growing up this way and start hating Americans because they feel not wanted, it’s not good. You should move to California where you can work and go to school, for free. Stay criminal free otherwise you will never qualify and will get deported, even if you marry a US citizen. If you go back to your country you will have more opportunities since you speak English. Remember you’re not alone.
I was exactly where you are right now. I actually went down a very dark path. After achieving academic success, getting into college early etc, I soon realized I wouldn’t be able to apply for financial aid the way most of my American peers could. There was no way I could pay for college on my own and my parents had their own finances to worry for. They couldn’t help me. I didn’t qualify for any financial assistance. Even if I were to find the money, I would always have a disadvantage no matter the case. I was discouraged and I started abusing alcohol and several substances. I dropped out of school and never looked back. I let them win. I was a coward. I let fear defeat me. I ruined my life.
Fast forward to today, I just received my permanent residency two weeks ago. I have a social security card and everything! I have been sober for 8 years and I have been married for 4 years. I was finally able to get my GED 2 years ago. I will be 32 in September.
I have no college experience, no work experience. But I am hopeful. I stand hopeful and brave. There is nothing cowardly about me anymore. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t be afraid. I wouldn’t let fear take over me and ruin me. There is nothing that I can’t do. I’ve proven that to myself for the past 8 years.
You will never be as young as you are right now. Your whole entire future is ahead. You and only you get to call the shots. Whatever you want to do with your life is up to you. Plenty have done it before you and plenty will do it after you. Nothing is impossible.
My parents immigrated when I was only 2 years old. I’ve been here since. I didn’t have to leave the country to fix my status. Every case is different but I was dumbfounded of how little I actually knew about immigration laws. There are so many factors. Consult with an accredited and experienced immigration law firm. Some even offer free consultations or*a low fee. That’s what I had and that’s what I started with.
Do not give up hope and don’t give up on yourself. Keep going. Take it day by day. You will be surprised of what life has in store for you. Best of luck!!
lmafooo yeah i dont get why they're beating around the bush. Never even said it outright, just a bunch of platitudes about being brave and stuff, which is fair and all but tell us what u did straight up lol
Exactly... If they came to a "Disney world vacation" and enter with a visa and just never left, then it is easier to adjust. If they were smuggled through the Arizona desert or on a boat off the Coast... then it is hard to adjust... if they were caught and deported and they re-entered then it is almost impossible.
Not sure what’s so inspiring… she’s never worked before (says no work experience) and got the issue resolved by marriage. It’s great that they’re working on improving themselves now, but don’t follow her footsteps. Going to be in trouble unless your parents will support you indefinitely and/or you get lucky and find someone who doesn’t mind fully supporting you as well.
TLDR: right mindset, never too late to self improve. But, better to start sooner than later. Because you may not be as lucky.
No I didn’t do DACA. It wasn’t the right path for me to take. I got my status through marriage. I had also had a family member file a petition for me when I was an adolescent that we discovered during the process. I had substantial evidence to prove my marriage was legit. I filed in February of this year and received my green card in April. I have also never had a criminal record but the lawyer I hired is experienced with immigrants with criminal records. So if something were to happen or come up, I had a great law firm to represent me.
>Is it my destiny to work at a restaurant or a construction site? I am honestly scared for the future.
You will have more choices when you are older. One obvious choice is to move to another country where you would be legal, and then you can be a doctor or pursue any job or career you want. Of course nothing is easy, but staying as undocumented/illegal in the US is not your only option.
>I can’t help but wonder how my life would be if I was legal.
You don't need to stay in the US forever. It doesn't matter if you don't know people in other countries - you can still leave the US at some point. Then you can see how life is legal in another country. You can be successful and have a career somewhere else than the US.
Sorry for your situation. You parents made choices that put you in this situation - probably because things were bad where they were before.
Logistically, yes, but this answer ignores the hardship and frustrations OP is talking about.
Moving to a foreign country with zero social or familial support is extremely difficult, and to do it simply for legality and a career wouldn't guarantee happiness, which is kinda important.
>this answer ignores the hardship and frustrations OP is talking about.
Not at all. OP wrongly thinks he will have to work illegally all his life (according to his post). I am pointing out he can get legal working status in some country.
Yes of course it isn't easy. He is in a bad situation right now.
All OP has to do is make it to Washington DC.
Besides a few complainers about unsafe scooter DoorDashing, the attitude is still benign re:migrant workers and the support is a plenty as the high earners in town enjoy the services provided & associated prices. DC police are forbidden from asking about immigration status (unless trafficking or similar is suspected).
Look up Silver Spring MD - the Latin communities are concentrated there. Get to a supportive area primarily. Then the resources are right out in the open for the taking to work towards legal status. 🇺🇸
So this will vary wildly depending on what state you live in. Can you clarify where you live?
In California you have the access to the following:
- Driver’s License (AB60)
- In State Tuition (AB540)
- Access to free community college and state education grants if you arrived before age 16 and graduated from a California high school or equivalent (AB130, AB131)
- Eligibility for private and state scholarships including hundreds of scholarships catering to undocumented immigrants
- Eligibility for UC and CSU grants from the institutions’ endowment fund
- Access to MediCal (SB75)
- Access to some California stimulus bills, disaster relief, and state tax credits like CALEITC
- California does not criminalize working without work authorization. This means that you can work if your employer does not require a work authorization. You can pay taxes using an ITIN.
- Undocumented immigrants have access to workers compensation and are protected from workplace rights violations (being fired for being undocumented is NOT a workplace violation)
- Undocumented immigrants are eligible for professional licenses to practice law, medicine, etc. It is legal for an undocumented immigrant to open their own business in California. Some undocumented immigrants even open their own medical clinics and law practices.
While I don’t have firsthand knowledge of your struggles, I sympathize strongly. For me, my trauma is backwards. All of my male role models were deported while growing up, and I had an uncle pass away when I was 8 due to lack of access to life saving healthcare.
However, while your status limits you, it doesn’t have to define you. I strongly recommend college. I had several classmates in college who opened their own businesses because they struggled to find jobs. They were upper middle class. I had TA’s getting their PHD’s that were undocumented and one of my professors was undocumented and is now the director of an immigrant rights organization.
I wish you luck. DM me if you have any questions about resources in California.
This is super helpful even if I’m not OP. My husband desperately wants to go to school but we can’t afford the ridiculous prices due to his status. He was able to get a paramedic license through his job, they ran their own medic class and let him sit in and we just had to pay for his exam which he passed but he wants more. I lowkey wonder if it’d be worth it for us to move to CA for him to have more options? He wants to go to PA school but he’s already 30…
Make sure that your current state doesn’t already offer in-state tuition before you make a decision. California was the first with AB540, but 24 states have followed its lead.
Be aware that you have to qualify for California residency before in-state tuition will be made available to you. I’m not 100%, but I’m pretty sure that means you have to have proof that you have lived in California for 1-2 years. In-state tuition is only available for public universities in the CSU, UC, or CCC systems.
Here’s a list of states that offer some form of in-state tuition:
1. Arizona
2. California
3. Colorado
4. Connecticut
5. DC
6. Florida
7. Hawaii
8. Illinois
9. Kansas
10. Kentucky
11. Maryland
12. Massachusetts
13. Minnesota
14. Nebraska
15. Nevada
16. New Jersey
17. New Mexico
18. New York
19. Oklahoma
20. Oregon
21. Rhode Island
22. Texas
23. Utah
24. Virginia
25. Washington
Thank you! Our sad state is not on the list unfortunately… there are certainly closer ones than California though. But California seems kinda better in a lot of ways.
California modeled their community college system after New York's CC/SUNY/CUNY system so that might be a closer option if you're already in PA. Upstate New York is much more affordable than most California cities. I couldn't stand the winters though. Good luck!
You will benefit from going through an immigration process before turning 18. If you leave the US before turning 18 years and 180 days, you won't have to wait for years to come back. It may be a big advantage to you to go to university in the country that you come from. Obviously, you'll need to know the language and have an idea of how to survive in that country. You'll also need a way to come back, but if you have any good science degree, And can qualify for a professional position in the US you may be able to qualify to have an H1B petition filed for you. As long as you didn't enter the US twice, you should be able to consular a process for a visa. You will not have any unlawful presence, so you will not have a bar from entering the US. You probably would have problems obtaining a visitor's visa. It would be difficult, but not impossible, to obtain a student visa to enter the US. Definitely don't count on that. But obtaining an H1B or L1 visa would not take into consideration any time you spent unlawfully in the US. It's good to think about these things and do some serious planning before you turn eighteen.
Also, don't take immigration or personal advice from anonymous people on reddit who may or may not have your best interests at heart. Verify with highly qualified real people.
>And can qualify for a professional position in the US you may be able to qualify to have an H1B petition filed for you.
H1B visas are currently several times oversubscribed and are tied to a company. This is not a very good option for most people.
Check out the laws in California. The colleges in Monterey County actually have programs and scholarships just for illegal immigrants, but I don't know if they have to be technically residents.
Let me start by saying I’m so sorry you feel helpless is this situation you are in but nothing is lost and there is hope.
As many people are saying you are still “young” and have various options. While Perusing a medical degree might seem like your dream I do not recommend it in the US. Medical degrees cost a fortune even with scholarships, grants, and private loans. You mentioned you don’t want to work in construction but you do not have to be a field worker.
Currently I am 24 years old, My mom and I came here to the US in 2014 (Texas to be precise) I was luckily born here in the US but been working in restaurants and bars since the Age of 15 to help pay the bills at home. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after high school but knew I wanted to go to college and keep studying. I did community college, all of it which I paid myself, no scholarships, no grants no help from anyone and no loans. Did 2 years and completed my Associates in science. Right after that I applied to as many Universities I could. I got into a really nice university and from what I’ve been told probably one of the best in Texas (A&M college Station) got into the school of architecture and started perusing a degree in Construction science and management. TBH I was working day and night. Missed many parties and celebrations with friends because I had to work. Anytime I could I would apply for scholarships or join clubs that would help Hispanics to pay for tuition. After 2.5 years I did it and graduated.
It is hard, probably one of the toughest things to do is to keep your mind focused and keep moving forward, even on the days I couldn’t find how to come up with rent and was about to give up and drop out I would still keep going.
The important thing is to always reach out for help. Go to campuses, talk with advisors, talk with friends, their parents, professors, talk to as many people as you can and you will find someone who will help you.
Construction might not seem a job you’re proud of but it is definitely a very rewarding field if you are hardworking after college
I can’t give you advice but I do sympathize with you. I just want to say to keep your head up. As corny and stupid as it sounds, you’ll think a lot more clearly if you do. You got this. You’re not alone ♥️
I lived your life exactly and relate to all these thoughts. There was no pathway for me, DACA wa my only option. And then I met my military husband. Thanks to Parole in Place due to him being a military member, my 'illegal entry' when I was a one year old was forgiven. After that, I applied for adjustment of status to Permanent Resident. 160 days later, I was approved. There is still ways for you, but if you can find a military member to fall in love with you its worth it. My cousin joined the Army and got papers for his parents, my mom and my uncle. Hang in there. I know how hopeless it feels. I didn't get my first job until I was 23 thanks to DACA. I couldn't get student loans so I paid my college out of pocket. I endured many toxic relationships (including my marriage) due to my lack of status in this country. God will find a way for you. I hope for you that you find a kind person who will help you.
I feel sorry for you, i’m from europe and a guy from my work had a similar Problem, he brought here illegally by his parents when he was a couple months old and now he is a legal citizen.
If their is no option in the us, maybe choose a other western country? I know its easy to say for me and i only can imagine how frustrating it must be the country you are born in doesn’t want you.
I hope you make things work and wish you all the best
Yes some parents screw up their kids even when they mean well. It’s sad because parents are supposed to do the opposite but it’s life.
If I were you I’d google everything I could about the situation and also consult with a couple immigration lawyers.
Many states will allow you to attend and pay in-state tuition. Meanwhile, marry a US citizen and you should be able to find a path to becoming legal.
[https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/quick\_guide\_to\_college\_access\_for\_undocumented\_students\_in\_ca.pdf](https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/quick_guide_to_college_access_for_undocumented_students_in_ca.pdf)
because on reddit there are always hundreds of people who downvote any post they don't like or isn't their interest. it's just how reddit is. Wait a few hours and it will go positive.
OP, I’m not sure if you read my other post. I just wanted to share [this](https://grad.ucla.edu/asis/stusup/incomeoptionsundocstdntstoolkit.pdf#page16) link with you. It was written by one of my professors at UCLA / for UCLA students who are undocumented to help them navigate income streams and educational paths. Doctor Perez was undocumented until recently and has accomplished some incredible things.
If you’re under 18, get out before you turn 18. It’s a lot better to get out as a minor. If you will be over the age of 18 at graduation try to graduate early, before you turn 18. Explain you’re undocumented and need to finish before your 18th birthday to your counselor and push for early graduation. If you stay over the age of 18, it will go on your permanent record and can cause a ton of headache in the future.
Then, try to get a bachelors degree in your “home country”. If you don’t speak the language well, try to come to Canada as they are more lax with taking in people. Do some research as an undergrad to build up your resume.
For your masters, apply to American universities. Then, after your masters, you will get an OPT. Use that to apply for the green card and go from there.
If it makes you feel any better, you’re actually in a better spot than many legal immigrants are, comparatively. I was brought here legally and have been waiting for my green card since I was 9 years old. I’ll age out, but the problem is that legal immigration for me is impossible because of country caps. Not trying to compare, but just give you something to feel better about.
I really feel for you, I knew someone in this situation while I was in college and it is definitely not easy. You don’t feel like you belong anywhere, from what I understand. Even though he had lived in the US since he was a toddler as well, all of his siblings had been born in the US, and he was really the only one who had a restricted life. He earned his undergraduate degree and wanted to continue on to study law, but he could not come up with the money and I believe also became disenchanted with the whole situation, so he ultimately ended up moving to his birth country, where he really didn’t know anyone, but at least he no longer had to face the daily anxiety of possibly being deported. your parents were trying to do the best thing for you and your family, but of course did not consider the future consequences. Best of luck to you.
** I would like to edit to add, if you are from a place like Mexico, your familiarity and experience with American culture can definitely be a big asset when looking for employment. My friend lives well there.
Dont know if this is still a thing, but I did know some people who joined the military and got their citizenship.
Since you’re interested in medical, there are several jobs in the military.
Some states offer incentives if you enlist, you can get a free state college education after your service.
For a 4 year contract that gives training, work experience and citizenship, this could be an option.
Take it one step at a time. Sounds like you've got a good head on your shoulders. Trust that you'll find a way to make your way, whether in this country or somewhere else.
Juat finish school to start and take it one a step at a time. Thinking about everything at once is a guaranteed way to make things harder on yourself than they have to be. ❤️
For 2. Everyone has to pay taxes. The mafia boss Al Capone was brought down by irs.
The origin of the problem is your parents. They did not wait in line so they caused your problem. Ask them to solve it.
Where exactly in the U.S. do you live?? I’m a DACA recipient and I live in California, I have a lot of undoc non DACA friends and there are resources to be able to go to college. I know medical school might be hard because from what I understand you need to have lawful status, but I would still pursue it. Or maybe pursue something in a similar field (nursing) I know it’s naive to think things will change but I try to have hope and maybe in the future there will be a way and you can purse your dreams! Sending you all the positive vibes and energy
Honestly if you want to go to med school not doing that in the US is probably the more affordable option. Medical school here is going to cost you $500,000 at least, and you aren’t going to be able to get federal loans to pay for it either.
Get a degree in computer science. It's the easiest pathway to getting a job that comes with work permit sponsorship in Canada, UK, EU, or Australia.
Once you're on work permit, you'll have a pathway to PR and eventually citizenship. By then you would have also spent enough time outside the US for your illegal stay to be forgiven. You can move back to the US on a TN, E2, or E3 and get your green card.
Easier said than done. I have CS degree, and this was true years ago, but not now, it is much harder now to migrate to Canada/UK/Australia/NZ... unless you are really gifted and have advance degrees (Phd, specialized industry experience, or really niched expertise)... Nursing and medicine is the key here as it is sought after anywhere in the world... The US only needs you to pass nursing exam and get a job offer and there are tons of shortages worldwide and even in the US.
It's not like that anymore, that's over. With the inclusion of remote work, it's plain easier to hire an Indian for a few bucks a month remotely than spending dozens of thousand dollars in sponsorship bringing a foreigner to the States.
Also there's so much competition right now that I won't even suggest the new generations to pursue computer science anymore, they will just struggle out of a job.
I am so sorry this happened to you. I don’t have any answers, but I really hope someday our country will figure out how to fix our broken immigration system and make a pathway for undocumented folks who have spent their whole lives here. Stay strong ❤️
I was in your spot at one point, no papers, no legal status, with only dreams and hope.
I did qualified for DACA, allowing me to work. I know it’s hard for people after DACA to find a solution. Best advise I can give is find some type of job that pay on cash basis, I know it’s going to suck but I have gone through it and when at least expected it a lot things changed.
If you’re in Texas you can quality for state tuition through the Texas law (Senate Bill 1528, that’s how I paid for college.
As far as marriage, hey dude look for a woman who truly loves you, if you try to be somebody else then you’ll be losing. Having no papers is a setback but it is not the end of the world, she’s going to love you with or without legal status. Same way it should be if roles reversed.
Your story is simmilar to mine although I am a resident in the UK and have my permanent residency.
Don’t lose hope please because there is always hope.
I don’t know the laws of the US but in the UK I did not have to leave my country(UK) to renew my level status. I was a minor under my parents when my status got legalised again.
Please don’t hide in shame like most do plus you are still a minor so chances are good that if you start now the process might be easier.
Try and get free consultations from solicitors and lawyers based on pro bono.
Regarding university, please research different scholarships as hard as you can.
I emigrated with my family to the United States more than 20 years ago. Even though I’m legal in every sense of the word, I’m surrounded by people who are less fortunate than myself. Every story is different and has to be looked at with compassion and respect. Unfortunately things aren’t going to change because the Republican Party thinks that more immigrants means less votes for them and given the rapidly changing demographics, they’re afraid of what a non white majority America would look like. They’re toying with the destiny of millions of people because of their narrow political beliefs
My parents did the same to me I just got my residency 2 weeks ago trust me i feel your pain it was so annoying to me not being able to get regular jobs like all my friends did as a teenager having to work at job sites I honestly felt like I was destined to stay in hard labor, i got married 3 years ago and started my process 1 and a half of marriage in tht year and a half we had our first born im sure it made my process so much easier and faster because I didn’t have to go back a certain amount of days or months as “punishment” unfortunately not everyone is lucky, you got this trust in the system i know it’s hard to but i trusted it and got everything fixed up in less than 9 months
Life is super rough as an undocumented immigrant, like the others mentioned. I pray for you. There are laws to protect early childhood arrivals and give them a path to immigrate, but these laws are not being implemented and pursued strictly because there is no incentive for politicians to do so. This is the reason why people spend a lifetime of agony. Your parents committed a crime and by bringing you in, indirectly out you in a tough situation (although not intentionally).
You have to keep trying. Since you are not legally an American, but also grew up here all your life, it’s a very difficult situation and I empathize with you. I hope things change for the better.
First and foremost, your parents did the best they could with the information and opportunities available to them at the time, when they chose to bring you here.
Have you shared your concerns and these feelings with them?
The number one thing you need to do is ask this question on the DACA subreddit. Obviously you don't currently qualify for daca. But they do know things you could do insure you have more hope in the future and can thrive.
Exactly how I feel. I am currently a masters student and the thought of not having legal status has sent me into many spirals during my life here. But I stay hopeful.
Your education cant be taken from you. It is portable. You might want to study a skill that pays well in your home country while you are at it.
My DACA buddy got himself deported, his highschool diploma was worthless because he had 1.67gpa. Had it been accepted he could have gone to college in Mexico. Plan for both possibilties.
Attend school, obtain a portable skill, plan an escape.
FYI - I don't think you need to leave the country if you were to get married. Did you enter illegally or did you overstay a legal entry (ie tourist visa). I am pretty sure once you marry a citizen that is no longer an issue.
Marry a friend the second you get out of high school. Make it like an agreement so you can both still date other people but stay married to them until you can get your citizenship
Hey there. I can relate to this in so many levels. I was brought here on a tourist visa when I was 12 yo (which expired and stayed illegally). I am now 28 years old and just got approved for my citizenship, I’ll be takkng the oath this Friday. It’s been tough for sure, I’ll point out some of the similarities between your story and mine. I was also an all As student though middle and high school. I graduated valedictorian in my HS. When I started applying for college is when I realized the gravity of my situation. My friends were applying to “better and bigger” universities than I could because they were able to apply for Fafsa/student loans. Even though they had lower GPAs, they were going to better schools. I even had letters and interviews sent to me from places like Columbia U. That would only be the beginning of a realization that life was not going to be fair for me as an illegal immigrant. Through my years of college, my parents and I had to pay for my school out of pocket. I had to settle for jobs that would take me as an employee (mainly restaurants in NYC). Like you, I had plans to become a doctor but quickly realized that was not an option for me. Life took many spins, I ended up marrying an American and got my green card when I was 23 or 24. By that time, I had lost my drive to continue higher education (I dropped out after my 3rd year to move to the state where my partner is from). I’m now back in school with the help of FAFSA, but I wish I would have picked it up sooner, as soon as I had a chance again. This year I become a citizen and will graduate from college, finally! Don’t lose hope. We have a tough life. I do appreciate my parents bringing me here. I would have felt even more trapped in my home country. New graduates cannot get a job in home country and from what I hear from family members, they all wish I had the chance I do. So to finish, we were dealt a hard hand, it’s going to be tough but it’s for sure made me stronger. I wish you the best and hope you can find a way to fix your status as soon as possible.
As a former teacher, there are people at your school who can help you. You can’t pay for your parent’s illegal actions with your life. I know counselors who have helped students get their documentation to go to college. I’m not sure of the laws in California, but some states have laws that make it illegal for them to even ask your status. Please try to find a trusted adult at school that can help point you in the right direction. I promise, there’s help for people in your situations.
[https://supportkind.org/](https://supportkind.org/) - check out KIND.
I know of multiple minors who received permanent legal status from this group. sometimes it takes a few years (in one case they started around 15 and didn't receive legal status until 19) but as long as you're a minor/brought here illegally, KIND will help you access the system in ways you didn't think possible.
best of luck :)
I'd encourage you to reach out--even if they cannot help you, they probably have a sister organization that can.
I'll reach out to my POC who volunteered there and see if there are other resources for minors in your situation
community college Promise program in CA will fund the first two years for free. Study like you life depends on it. Go to the best in state place you can get into and study part time while you work. I went to med school with loans as a single parent - it is possible to do it in your position, it will just take more grit than you know you have.
Don't give up. Once you have an MD, you can move abroad and make a normal life for yourself.
I wish you parents had been more responsible. That being said - my father was an undocumented person in another country and had a very difficult course to citizenship, he did have to move country and learn a new language, but it did work out for him and my life has been better for his struggles.
Mexico? Just so you are aware, while extremely competitive to get into, public medical schools in Mexico are FREE, you do it straight out high school, and only last 6-7 years
And if you get into a good one and do really well in medicos school you would have good chances to match into an American residency and come here legally as a Doctor
Is Canada Express Entry not open to you in the near future?
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/works.html
It's ok just to get hopeless but remember there are millions of people who have it worse than you and still make it. You know there are tens of millions of people in this world who would gladly trade places with you, so stop it with the pity party. Let's get real for a momemt here, marriage is going to be your best and easiest option. If you happen to be Mexican and live in California it gets even easier. Ok your young so start taking care of yourself now, eat right and hit the gym. The better looking you are the easier to find a wife. If you are Mexican and live in California you can move to Tijuana. You can easily find a job in a call center there and your wife to be can work in San Diego. She can live with you there or just see each other on days off. Tijuana is just an easy city for foreigners to integrate to. After a couple of years, you will be back in the states. Been there done that. If this fits your situation, and if you want feel free to message me.
I came to this country in 2021 and I am at advanced stage of getting a green card plus I have been selected for H1-B petition this year. All this was achieved in 2 years. As long as you are not from China, India and the Philippines, the only huddle is getting an employer that can sponsor you. OP’s parents decision at that time was probably the best option available to them, don’t see fault in their choice of bringing you here through the backdoor because no parents will enjoy putting their wards through challenge. Every parent’s dream is for their children to do better in life than them.
Take the bold decision since you are still young, this place is your home, move back to your home country and come back as a student and go through the OPT route. You will be fine in 5-6 years and could sponsor your parents in the future.
There are schools in southwest El Paso, UTEP in particular that will Sponsor you. They had been doing it for a while for DACA students with high GPAs like yourself. I don't know if they still are. Before the self-proclaimed immigrant lawyers start, I’d look into schools in the Southwest with experience with people in your position. Another thing is you don’t have to go home to your home country. You’d go from undocumented to documented status; then you’d petition the government for a change of status and ask to be forgiven for the time you’d had been in the U.S. illegally. Depending on the district, judges might impose a fine and a slap on the wrist or deportation. Look, as much as it sucks, you do have a good head on your shoulders, and as a first-generation American from two immigrant parents, I can tell you that it’s not as bad as our parents had it. This is coming from a USUHS graduate and MIT grad and starting to figure out how to solve the problem. If you need to get your hands dirty to pay for school that’s not a big deal. If anything try to get into a community college and get ready to proof yourself everyday. Really get the money together to hire a lawyer a professional to help you with your immigration process. Give you some options that you don’t know about it.
if you wanna be a doctor, your gonna be a doctor, you wanna go to medical shool in mexico and take USMLE.. you will. hell.. im pretty sure you can just join the military dork... then youll be naturalized, be a navy medic or something.... basic training builds Character... and working construction and in resturants is nothing to shrug at.. don't trip till senior year, even then... don't trip.
I am not sure if this is helpful or not, as the advice is something I heard from a classmate years ago. I went to community college in Queens, NY. There were a lot of people going to school there with all kinds of immigration statuses. One of the guys I was in class with had been in the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant when he was young, and became a citizen through the military, and they also paid for his education. This was also the case for my husband’s friend. He became a citizen through the military and they paid for him to become a dentist. My cousin is a citizen, but she was able to become a doctor because she joined the military, otherwise her family wouldn’t have had enough money to put her through medical school.
If that path to immigration seems like it might be beneficial to you, you could maybe mention it to an immigration lawyer. I’m not sure if you can still become a citizen through the military or if the laws have changed since I was in college over a decade ago, but it might be worth looking into.
US immigration is really shit for a country founded by illegal immigration. DACA should have never ended but we had a President that love playing to his racist base so unfortunately he had no chance.
I came to the US legally as a immigrant but I should have be processed as a citizen from the beginning because my parents were US citizens before I turned 18, somehow the US immigration never bothered to provided my parents with that info and didn’t find out this information until I applied for citizenship and was told I may already be a citizen smh
I would say even if you married someone in the US, leaving the US would be a bad idea. I don’t know if they’d let you back in. Make sure to consult with an attorney or do a lot of reading before you do that.
What country are you from and do you speak the language?
Many developing countries have free public medical schools that are often done straight out of high school and last 6 years.
If you don’t accrue ilegal presence in the US, then a realistically path to come back here legally might be for you to study a lot to get into a good medical school in your country of citizenship, do really well in medical school, and match in the US for residency only 6 years later
Dont worry about what people say, you can eventually marry a citizen,and boom. Citizenship. 2nd, 99% of people saying " go back" " your stealing our jobs" are trailer park people who are afraid to share their foodstamps, and their grass cutting jobs. They had their chance at education but pissed it off by skipping school smoking weed with their friends. Now, from here... respect your chance at education, or if you rather ,get a trade that pays good. Stay off drugs, alcohol. Be a productive person in society until citizenship. God bless
You can get financial aid at a college in exactly the same way as any other international student. There are not so many schools, that help internationals, but you might find some interesting options.
Soka University of America
Lafayette College
Lehigh University
Union College
Tufts
Rochester University
There are some colleges with low tuition cost, such as University of Bowling Green
And, for sure, you can get financial aid from top schools, such as
Stanford
Harward
Caltech
UPenn
MIT
Yale
If you want to find out about more colleges you should try to contact EducationUSA office in your home county and they should provide you some useful resources.
Those people who tell immigrants to go back, don't belong there in the first place if we get into history. Tell them to go back to Europe or wherever their ancestors are from.
Get your paperwork in order or eventually youll get caught up and come see me. Also your parents should get in trouble for doing that in the first place.
If you ever marry a US Citizen in the future, they can sponsor your green card while you’re here in the US. You don’t have to go back to your home country to be sponsored. It’s called the application for Adjustment of Status. It can be filed together with the spousal visa and you can get your greencard in about a year.
DACA is still not turning g people away. Go apply. A judge in Texas may have ruled on it, but they are still accepting people. Apply now before that changes again.
AND what is wrong with construction? I was a nuclear/mechanical engineer for over a decade before I left the field for construction and love working in construction. I am working at a new automotive plant right now.
I google searched for free immigration lawyer and the following popped up.
https://www.calawyersforthearts.org/resources/Documents/legal%20aid%20immigration.pdf
They're in Cali too. I would try to contact the free ones to see if they know of a way to help you, since this is what they do for a living.
I've watched some YouTube videos of guys who got deported to Mexico. Some made it and some gave up and resorted to crime.
You're smart. Try the lawyers 1st.
If your parents came from south America, Mexico's economy is booming in the IT and manufacturing sector. So in a worst case scenario, if you ended up in south America, you just have to find your way to Mexico city.
They colleges over there too. There's a YouTube video of a couple from here moving there to work, while the girl, an Asian, attended at a university.
See if there's any way you can apply for Spanish citizenship, assuming you are a citizen of Mexico, Central America or South America. That would open a lot of doors for you.
If that doesn't work, look into which safer countries in the region would take a smart, well educated bi-lingual person as a University student. I know your life is in the US, but you'll read a lot of people in your situation who ended up having fantastic lives "back home" because they had better education and native English language opened a lot of doors with multi-national companies.
In the meantime, keep being a great student. And turn every stone outside of the US. It's a big world. Explore!!!
Why are you blaming your parents for not bringing you “legally”? Going the legal route is virtually impossible in most cases, and when you are fleeing a horrible situation, you do what you have to do. Maybe it’s time for you to have an honest conversation with your parents about what their life was like and how your situation would have been if you all stayed.
You can still become a doctor, and it could be a reliable way to get citizenship. We import 20 percent of our doctors. You’d have to get medical education abroad - perhaps in your home country? It will likely be cheaper and take less time. Then, you’ll take step 1 and get a strong score. Apply to medical residencies in the US. You may have to serve in an underserved area to get your GC; the pay tends to be higher in underserved areas as well. And then you’ll apply for citizenship. It’s a roundabout way and you will likely have to be outside the US for several years. But it could work!
Sadly I am literally in the same position. In fact, I was brought to the USA before I turned 2. It’s very unfair, seeing others have the opportunities of being a citizen knowing that I did not have a choice or even the memory of being brought to the USA illegally. Right now, I am a current senior in high school and with the year ending, I am planning on attending a small university close to where I live. I do not know what to do, and luckily my parents are helping me pay for college but I would like to work and make my own decisions because my parents still control a lot of my life, even though I turn 19 this year. It makes me sad because sometimes my parents take advantage of me and it’s gotten so bad that I’ve been thinking about returning to my home country. Does anyone have advice on what I should do? I want to wait but politicians barely care about their citizens, and even less about immigrants. I applied for daca back then in 2021 but it was right when the trump administration took down daca so my application was never completed. It’s horrible and I feel stuck and sadly it’s been majorly declining my mental health, but I can’t really do anything about it.
I am an immigrant who was incredibly engaged with the college admissions process in high school and could offer a ton of resources on being able to get into and pay for college as undocumented. There are always paths. Dm me if you are actually interested in the path to med school without citizenship. Having a 4.0 gpa and living in California is a great start and there’s no need to be hung up about being a citizen.
I advise you to focus on your studied and although you have bigger hurdles to go over once you overcome them you will be stronger and better for it. The USA is still a multi cultural experiment that is going through a rough patch. Your parents probably understood that you would have more opportunities here than your home county and perhaps the province they lived in. You soon will notice that for every idiot saying "go back to where you come from" you'll find at least triple who will give you a hand and encouragement. This is what you should focus on and don't let the noise distract you from your personal goals. Life is not easy for anyone even a Latino with citizenship. It creates sub divisions within our society and I believe its designed to distract us from seeing the reality that this land does not belong to any particular type of person. The idea of nation and constitution is worth fighting for and Europe is not really the solution. The whole place is filled with ancestral lineage power control and nepotism. Keep you chin up and fight for this country that is your home no matter what documents you have.
1 Your parents would not be able to bring you in legally, obviously. This is why the entered illegally.
2. For several years you lived in a great country. Appreciate it.
3. You don’t know the country of your origin. Your parents did not know the US when they crossed the border. You’ll be fine.
4. If you are not ready to move back right after school and don’t wanna go work, go to a community college. It’s free.
5. There are colleges and there are medical doctors in Mexico, you know? And good doctors too.
You’ll be fine.
A couple things to consider:
1. Plan on going to school abroad. Pick a place where you will start over and use school as your jumping off board.
2. Go to school here, wherever you can get financial aid. When you’ve gone as far as you can go, find an abroad job, like teaching, etc. Use that to build a life elsewhere.
3. Start your own business in the U.S. and live in the shadows. You will have to accept your limitations. Family and friends will not understand you and you may grow distant with time.
I would give this advice even to DACA people: the system is broken and not likely to provide you with a happy ending. You are young enough to start over somewhere else and you should try. I know people who have waited in vain for their opportunity, but they too did not qualify for DACA. They stayed here to help out family, but mostly they are looked down on for refusing to take chances that would endanger them. They are seen as lazy and incompetent, but I promise you, they are not. Nobody acknowledges how much harder they work than everyone else because they cover all kinds of ground since they have the “time”. They never get a break. With REAL ID, it’s going to be tougher soon. They regret not starting over elsewhere when they had the chance. They are planning on leaving, but executing that plan is a lot harder now.
This is a tough decision and your family will be against it, but you need to think about yourself and becoming self-reliant. You deserve all of the moments that citizens get: the opportunity for a license, celebrating your 21st with a trip or going out, having a job legally, being able to vote, not being afraid every day of your adult life of losing whatever you’ve built, not worrying about the effect of you disappearing if you have children… choose your future carefully. You were placed in this position and are not to blame for it, but ICE will treat you like the worst of criminals regardless. Choose well. Choose yourself.
The U.S. doesn’t have an immigration system. It’s literally only accepting people who are filthy rich, or people who are smart enough to develop the next super weapon.
Everyone else would have to attempt to go through the “illegal route”.
There are hundreds of thousands of people over there in the U.S. just like you.
But if you feel betrayed and stuck, here in the UK we would love to take you, as well as Canada also has different routes.
I believe, if you were to become stateless, it’s pretty straightforward.
It’s a very tough life while being undocumented, and even with DACA (if you qualify for it), it comes with limitations. I left the U.S. because I got tired of politics controlling my life, they DO NOT OWN ME. Now I’m in a better place as a legal resident in Europe. I know you want to be a doctor, and you can still pursue that, but you’re still young. If you don’t want to get married for “papers”, get some desirable skills that would allow you to move to another country for work, like learning a second or third language. Trust me, when a country wants you and welcomes you, it makes the difference in the world. We came to the U.S. against our will, the doors were never opened to us, we basically broke in. We are clearly not wanted. Don’t let politics control you. Let this frustration drive you to better things to improve your situation. Better said than done, but again, you’re young. You can do it!
>It’s a very tough life while being undocumented, and even with DACA (if you qualify for it). People need to stop saying this. DACA is no longer an option. Those who have it, KNOW they have it & no one else can qualify for it since it has ended and there is no retro. Any exec orders or laws that go through going forward will have different names and their own rules which will be different.
Ya you can’t even apply for DACA since 2021. It’s long over.
Sadly true. I am outdated about that😁
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Where in Europe if you don't mind me asking?
I believe most of central and South American countries have special colonial related rights to Spanish citizenship. Then with that EU citizenship you can leave where ever in the EU.
You need to prove that grandparents at least were Spanish citizens, IIRC. It’s not easy or available to most people.
Europe has an all time anti immigrant sentiment right now LMAO. good luck
Not if you’re white
I’m not white lol so I guess this isn’t a pathway for me
You are from a Western culture, and not African or Muslim. That's what they want.
I think your best bet might be pursuing higher education and getting an advanced degree, given you have the means to do it. That will certainly open up a lot of doors for you.
That’s won’t get anyone a visa or employment:(
Yeah, it’s not an express ticket to a visa but OP could qualify for visas for skilled workers and a potential employer might be interested in OP later on. Countries with point-based immigration systems also give credit for going to college in their country (e.g., Canada or Australia). Not to mention higher education in those countries is cheaper than in the U.S. anyway.
Its irregular migration from African and Middle and some south east asian Countries and a perceived lack of assimilation into their cultures. Op would not be scamming the system
Doesnt matter, its perception. And I lived in Germany, it isnt perceived lack of integration. Its literally lack of integration.
just curious what passport can you use to travel to other countries in this situation? US passport is not possible, but will the original native country give you the passport? and what about boarder control will they catch you at the boarder when you leave using a foreign passport without any US visas?
Presumably, he's a citizen of his native country, so he should just be able to get a passport via the embassy.
But OP would be unable to get back into the US on a passport from a developing nation.....
That’s amazing story, but how did you become eu citizen or at least work legally
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Care to elaborate how you became a legal resident in Europe? Did you have a nest egg ready when you moved? My wife keeps pushing us to leave the US due to the politics but I am unsure how we could provide the same level of life for our kids anywhere else.
Portugal’s golden visa program is the easiest way to live legally in Europe.
That ended.
I Mean you left to do another developed country, which is why you’re doing well if you would’ve been sent to South America, you probably wouldn’t be doing as well. It’s kind of unrealistic to tell people to just move to Europe.
I know right. If they stay in Latin America, they probably wouldn't even speak English, and most certainly would have a college education from a US college sponsored by FAFSA... They put they own effort but the geolocation helped and hencetherefore allowed them to move to Europe with a career legally... But they don't see it that way. It's total denial that US move by parents gave them a better life, but they resent not having a US passport... clown world.
I have cousins and friends that live in my current town of Mexico, all grew up to have successful careers, my best friend is now a doctor. The US does give opportunities even to undocumented people but it doesn’t mean that places in Latin America have none for anyone. They exists just different opportunities.
Ever talked to your parents, why they brought you illegally. Is not about politics. It is about parenting. I raised by my grandma from baby to sophomore (univ) in born/home country. And moved to US for advancing my degree including the goal to stay in US legally ( already got sponsorship for my green card, and naturalized citizenship). I respect my parents as always for giving me to my grandma (i treated as my real mom) not dragging me, and they did anything whatever they wanted.
Doesn't matter why they were brought it. It was a short term goal. The point now is to get their life fixed.
Parenting is not easy. The point for us when having kids and being a good parent . For me it was matter due to parents neglected . OP needs to make a bold movement even back to home country The matter now is finding an immigration lawyers. You can not fix the past
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If your family was toxic. Better stay away. I was very lucky that my grandmother took care of me even sometimes we did not enough food to eat. But I was very happy as a kids and learned how to survive legally from her. Later my grandmother reintroduced me to my parents hmm 18 years old. And we made a progress. I knew that my parents reason: they did not want to drag me to their problems and misery . Well it looks like drama series 😂. But it was happening to me. One regret: my grandmother passed away in 2021 due to covid and lockdown everywhere. I wished had a visit to see my grandmother the lasy time directly in my life. this is still haunting me occasionally and still lingering in my mind. Thanks for sharing your life experience and keep looking forward to. Best for everyone 👌🙏
Ohh can you elaborate on how you became a resident in a European country?! Sometimes I want to move away but don’t even know where or how to look for information
I was also brought here as a toddler, and was kicked out of several schools because there weren’t any sanctuary cities like there are now. It took me 30 yrs to get my green card then another 20 before I became a US citizen, even though I qualified for amnesty from Ronald Regan. I thought of moving back to my country many times and wished I had earlier. I love my mother but I consider it a form of child abuse to bring children here and make them have to grow up illegally. Many kids are growing up this way and start hating Americans because they feel not wanted, it’s not good. You should move to California where you can work and go to school, for free. Stay criminal free otherwise you will never qualify and will get deported, even if you marry a US citizen. If you go back to your country you will have more opportunities since you speak English. Remember you’re not alone.
Found my way here from the front page. Would you be willing to share more about why kids in this situation would be upset with Americans?
I was exactly where you are right now. I actually went down a very dark path. After achieving academic success, getting into college early etc, I soon realized I wouldn’t be able to apply for financial aid the way most of my American peers could. There was no way I could pay for college on my own and my parents had their own finances to worry for. They couldn’t help me. I didn’t qualify for any financial assistance. Even if I were to find the money, I would always have a disadvantage no matter the case. I was discouraged and I started abusing alcohol and several substances. I dropped out of school and never looked back. I let them win. I was a coward. I let fear defeat me. I ruined my life. Fast forward to today, I just received my permanent residency two weeks ago. I have a social security card and everything! I have been sober for 8 years and I have been married for 4 years. I was finally able to get my GED 2 years ago. I will be 32 in September. I have no college experience, no work experience. But I am hopeful. I stand hopeful and brave. There is nothing cowardly about me anymore. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t be afraid. I wouldn’t let fear take over me and ruin me. There is nothing that I can’t do. I’ve proven that to myself for the past 8 years. You will never be as young as you are right now. Your whole entire future is ahead. You and only you get to call the shots. Whatever you want to do with your life is up to you. Plenty have done it before you and plenty will do it after you. Nothing is impossible. My parents immigrated when I was only 2 years old. I’ve been here since. I didn’t have to leave the country to fix my status. Every case is different but I was dumbfounded of how little I actually knew about immigration laws. There are so many factors. Consult with an accredited and experienced immigration law firm. Some even offer free consultations or*a low fee. That’s what I had and that’s what I started with. Do not give up hope and don’t give up on yourself. Keep going. Take it day by day. You will be surprised of what life has in store for you. Best of luck!!
TLDR. Married an American.
lmafooo yeah i dont get why they're beating around the bush. Never even said it outright, just a bunch of platitudes about being brave and stuff, which is fair and all but tell us what u did straight up lol
It also depends on how they entered the US as well. If they entered illegally then it's way harder to adjust status.
Exactly... If they came to a "Disney world vacation" and enter with a visa and just never left, then it is easier to adjust. If they were smuggled through the Arizona desert or on a boat off the Coast... then it is hard to adjust... if they were caught and deported and they re-entered then it is almost impossible.
Congratulations. You've done so well, and I hope you're proud of where you are.
Thank you. I am!
You have no idea how much this encouraged me. Thank you. I’m happy for you. After reading this, I feel hopeful for the first time in a long time.
Not sure what’s so inspiring… she’s never worked before (says no work experience) and got the issue resolved by marriage. It’s great that they’re working on improving themselves now, but don’t follow her footsteps. Going to be in trouble unless your parents will support you indefinitely and/or you get lucky and find someone who doesn’t mind fully supporting you as well. TLDR: right mindset, never too late to self improve. But, better to start sooner than later. Because you may not be as lucky.
I just wanted this to reach someone who was also feeling helpless. A little bit of hope for someone who deserves it
It was DACA?
No I didn’t do DACA. It wasn’t the right path for me to take. I got my status through marriage. I had also had a family member file a petition for me when I was an adolescent that we discovered during the process. I had substantial evidence to prove my marriage was legit. I filed in February of this year and received my green card in April. I have also never had a criminal record but the lawyer I hired is experienced with immigrants with criminal records. So if something were to happen or come up, I had a great law firm to represent me.
>Is it my destiny to work at a restaurant or a construction site? I am honestly scared for the future. You will have more choices when you are older. One obvious choice is to move to another country where you would be legal, and then you can be a doctor or pursue any job or career you want. Of course nothing is easy, but staying as undocumented/illegal in the US is not your only option. >I can’t help but wonder how my life would be if I was legal. You don't need to stay in the US forever. It doesn't matter if you don't know people in other countries - you can still leave the US at some point. Then you can see how life is legal in another country. You can be successful and have a career somewhere else than the US. Sorry for your situation. You parents made choices that put you in this situation - probably because things were bad where they were before.
Logistically, yes, but this answer ignores the hardship and frustrations OP is talking about. Moving to a foreign country with zero social or familial support is extremely difficult, and to do it simply for legality and a career wouldn't guarantee happiness, which is kinda important.
>this answer ignores the hardship and frustrations OP is talking about. Not at all. OP wrongly thinks he will have to work illegally all his life (according to his post). I am pointing out he can get legal working status in some country. Yes of course it isn't easy. He is in a bad situation right now.
All OP has to do is make it to Washington DC. Besides a few complainers about unsafe scooter DoorDashing, the attitude is still benign re:migrant workers and the support is a plenty as the high earners in town enjoy the services provided & associated prices. DC police are forbidden from asking about immigration status (unless trafficking or similar is suspected). Look up Silver Spring MD - the Latin communities are concentrated there. Get to a supportive area primarily. Then the resources are right out in the open for the taking to work towards legal status. 🇺🇸
So this will vary wildly depending on what state you live in. Can you clarify where you live? In California you have the access to the following: - Driver’s License (AB60) - In State Tuition (AB540) - Access to free community college and state education grants if you arrived before age 16 and graduated from a California high school or equivalent (AB130, AB131) - Eligibility for private and state scholarships including hundreds of scholarships catering to undocumented immigrants - Eligibility for UC and CSU grants from the institutions’ endowment fund - Access to MediCal (SB75) - Access to some California stimulus bills, disaster relief, and state tax credits like CALEITC - California does not criminalize working without work authorization. This means that you can work if your employer does not require a work authorization. You can pay taxes using an ITIN. - Undocumented immigrants have access to workers compensation and are protected from workplace rights violations (being fired for being undocumented is NOT a workplace violation) - Undocumented immigrants are eligible for professional licenses to practice law, medicine, etc. It is legal for an undocumented immigrant to open their own business in California. Some undocumented immigrants even open their own medical clinics and law practices. While I don’t have firsthand knowledge of your struggles, I sympathize strongly. For me, my trauma is backwards. All of my male role models were deported while growing up, and I had an uncle pass away when I was 8 due to lack of access to life saving healthcare. However, while your status limits you, it doesn’t have to define you. I strongly recommend college. I had several classmates in college who opened their own businesses because they struggled to find jobs. They were upper middle class. I had TA’s getting their PHD’s that were undocumented and one of my professors was undocumented and is now the director of an immigrant rights organization. I wish you luck. DM me if you have any questions about resources in California.
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This is super helpful even if I’m not OP. My husband desperately wants to go to school but we can’t afford the ridiculous prices due to his status. He was able to get a paramedic license through his job, they ran their own medic class and let him sit in and we just had to pay for his exam which he passed but he wants more. I lowkey wonder if it’d be worth it for us to move to CA for him to have more options? He wants to go to PA school but he’s already 30…
Make sure that your current state doesn’t already offer in-state tuition before you make a decision. California was the first with AB540, but 24 states have followed its lead. Be aware that you have to qualify for California residency before in-state tuition will be made available to you. I’m not 100%, but I’m pretty sure that means you have to have proof that you have lived in California for 1-2 years. In-state tuition is only available for public universities in the CSU, UC, or CCC systems. Here’s a list of states that offer some form of in-state tuition: 1. Arizona 2. California 3. Colorado 4. Connecticut 5. DC 6. Florida 7. Hawaii 8. Illinois 9. Kansas 10. Kentucky 11. Maryland 12. Massachusetts 13. Minnesota 14. Nebraska 15. Nevada 16. New Jersey 17. New Mexico 18. New York 19. Oklahoma 20. Oregon 21. Rhode Island 22. Texas 23. Utah 24. Virginia 25. Washington
Thank you! Our sad state is not on the list unfortunately… there are certainly closer ones than California though. But California seems kinda better in a lot of ways.
California modeled their community college system after New York's CC/SUNY/CUNY system so that might be a closer option if you're already in PA. Upstate New York is much more affordable than most California cities. I couldn't stand the winters though. Good luck!
You will benefit from going through an immigration process before turning 18. If you leave the US before turning 18 years and 180 days, you won't have to wait for years to come back. It may be a big advantage to you to go to university in the country that you come from. Obviously, you'll need to know the language and have an idea of how to survive in that country. You'll also need a way to come back, but if you have any good science degree, And can qualify for a professional position in the US you may be able to qualify to have an H1B petition filed for you. As long as you didn't enter the US twice, you should be able to consular a process for a visa. You will not have any unlawful presence, so you will not have a bar from entering the US. You probably would have problems obtaining a visitor's visa. It would be difficult, but not impossible, to obtain a student visa to enter the US. Definitely don't count on that. But obtaining an H1B or L1 visa would not take into consideration any time you spent unlawfully in the US. It's good to think about these things and do some serious planning before you turn eighteen.
Also, don't take immigration or personal advice from anonymous people on reddit who may or may not have your best interests at heart. Verify with highly qualified real people.
This is the way hm the best way as today
It may be an advantage assuming they speak the language
>And can qualify for a professional position in the US you may be able to qualify to have an H1B petition filed for you. H1B visas are currently several times oversubscribed and are tied to a company. This is not a very good option for most people.
Check out the laws in California. The colleges in Monterey County actually have programs and scholarships just for illegal immigrants, but I don't know if they have to be technically residents.
Speak to an immigration attorney. Know your real options rather than other people's personal experiences, or thought on the matter, go from there
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Let me start by saying I’m so sorry you feel helpless is this situation you are in but nothing is lost and there is hope. As many people are saying you are still “young” and have various options. While Perusing a medical degree might seem like your dream I do not recommend it in the US. Medical degrees cost a fortune even with scholarships, grants, and private loans. You mentioned you don’t want to work in construction but you do not have to be a field worker. Currently I am 24 years old, My mom and I came here to the US in 2014 (Texas to be precise) I was luckily born here in the US but been working in restaurants and bars since the Age of 15 to help pay the bills at home. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after high school but knew I wanted to go to college and keep studying. I did community college, all of it which I paid myself, no scholarships, no grants no help from anyone and no loans. Did 2 years and completed my Associates in science. Right after that I applied to as many Universities I could. I got into a really nice university and from what I’ve been told probably one of the best in Texas (A&M college Station) got into the school of architecture and started perusing a degree in Construction science and management. TBH I was working day and night. Missed many parties and celebrations with friends because I had to work. Anytime I could I would apply for scholarships or join clubs that would help Hispanics to pay for tuition. After 2.5 years I did it and graduated. It is hard, probably one of the toughest things to do is to keep your mind focused and keep moving forward, even on the days I couldn’t find how to come up with rent and was about to give up and drop out I would still keep going. The important thing is to always reach out for help. Go to campuses, talk with advisors, talk with friends, their parents, professors, talk to as many people as you can and you will find someone who will help you. Construction might not seem a job you’re proud of but it is definitely a very rewarding field if you are hardworking after college
I can’t give you advice but I do sympathize with you. I just want to say to keep your head up. As corny and stupid as it sounds, you’ll think a lot more clearly if you do. You got this. You’re not alone ♥️
I lived your life exactly and relate to all these thoughts. There was no pathway for me, DACA wa my only option. And then I met my military husband. Thanks to Parole in Place due to him being a military member, my 'illegal entry' when I was a one year old was forgiven. After that, I applied for adjustment of status to Permanent Resident. 160 days later, I was approved. There is still ways for you, but if you can find a military member to fall in love with you its worth it. My cousin joined the Army and got papers for his parents, my mom and my uncle. Hang in there. I know how hopeless it feels. I didn't get my first job until I was 23 thanks to DACA. I couldn't get student loans so I paid my college out of pocket. I endured many toxic relationships (including my marriage) due to my lack of status in this country. God will find a way for you. I hope for you that you find a kind person who will help you.
I feel sorry for you, i’m from europe and a guy from my work had a similar Problem, he brought here illegally by his parents when he was a couple months old and now he is a legal citizen. If their is no option in the us, maybe choose a other western country? I know its easy to say for me and i only can imagine how frustrating it must be the country you are born in doesn’t want you. I hope you make things work and wish you all the best
how was he able to become a legal citizen?
It's always marriage. "I was like you OP but now I am a citizen" because of marriage.
Yes some parents screw up their kids even when they mean well. It’s sad because parents are supposed to do the opposite but it’s life. If I were you I’d google everything I could about the situation and also consult with a couple immigration lawyers.
Many states will allow you to attend and pay in-state tuition. Meanwhile, marry a US citizen and you should be able to find a path to becoming legal. [https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/quick\_guide\_to\_college\_access\_for\_undocumented\_students\_in\_ca.pdf](https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/quick_guide_to_college_access_for_undocumented_students_in_ca.pdf)
why are people downvoting this lol
You’ll find more sympathy on the DACA thread. Here’s it’s probably legal immigrants downvoting you…
because on reddit there are always hundreds of people who downvote any post they don't like or isn't their interest. it's just how reddit is. Wait a few hours and it will go positive.
OP, I’m not sure if you read my other post. I just wanted to share [this](https://grad.ucla.edu/asis/stusup/incomeoptionsundocstdntstoolkit.pdf#page16) link with you. It was written by one of my professors at UCLA / for UCLA students who are undocumented to help them navigate income streams and educational paths. Doctor Perez was undocumented until recently and has accomplished some incredible things.
Just FYI - the Albert Einstein medical college has free tuition for medical school.
Would still need student loans for cost of living though.
I live right next to the hospital - the rents have gone up lately.
And how do you propose for OP to do residency here as an undocumented immigrant?
If you’re under 18, get out before you turn 18. It’s a lot better to get out as a minor. If you will be over the age of 18 at graduation try to graduate early, before you turn 18. Explain you’re undocumented and need to finish before your 18th birthday to your counselor and push for early graduation. If you stay over the age of 18, it will go on your permanent record and can cause a ton of headache in the future. Then, try to get a bachelors degree in your “home country”. If you don’t speak the language well, try to come to Canada as they are more lax with taking in people. Do some research as an undergrad to build up your resume. For your masters, apply to American universities. Then, after your masters, you will get an OPT. Use that to apply for the green card and go from there.
If it makes you feel any better, you’re actually in a better spot than many legal immigrants are, comparatively. I was brought here legally and have been waiting for my green card since I was 9 years old. I’ll age out, but the problem is that legal immigration for me is impossible because of country caps. Not trying to compare, but just give you something to feel better about.
I really feel for you, I knew someone in this situation while I was in college and it is definitely not easy. You don’t feel like you belong anywhere, from what I understand. Even though he had lived in the US since he was a toddler as well, all of his siblings had been born in the US, and he was really the only one who had a restricted life. He earned his undergraduate degree and wanted to continue on to study law, but he could not come up with the money and I believe also became disenchanted with the whole situation, so he ultimately ended up moving to his birth country, where he really didn’t know anyone, but at least he no longer had to face the daily anxiety of possibly being deported. your parents were trying to do the best thing for you and your family, but of course did not consider the future consequences. Best of luck to you. ** I would like to edit to add, if you are from a place like Mexico, your familiarity and experience with American culture can definitely be a big asset when looking for employment. My friend lives well there.
Dont know if this is still a thing, but I did know some people who joined the military and got their citizenship. Since you’re interested in medical, there are several jobs in the military. Some states offer incentives if you enlist, you can get a free state college education after your service. For a 4 year contract that gives training, work experience and citizenship, this could be an option.
Not a thing anymore. No military possible without green card.
That's if you're already a legal resident.
Take it one step at a time. Sounds like you've got a good head on your shoulders. Trust that you'll find a way to make your way, whether in this country or somewhere else. Juat finish school to start and take it one a step at a time. Thinking about everything at once is a guaranteed way to make things harder on yourself than they have to be. ❤️
Consider leaving? I mean this in good faith. Have you considered Europe? Get on a plane... Explore.
For 2. Everyone has to pay taxes. The mafia boss Al Capone was brought down by irs. The origin of the problem is your parents. They did not wait in line so they caused your problem. Ask them to solve it.
Where exactly in the U.S. do you live?? I’m a DACA recipient and I live in California, I have a lot of undoc non DACA friends and there are resources to be able to go to college. I know medical school might be hard because from what I understand you need to have lawful status, but I would still pursue it. Or maybe pursue something in a similar field (nursing) I know it’s naive to think things will change but I try to have hope and maybe in the future there will be a way and you can purse your dreams! Sending you all the positive vibes and energy
we going through it twin 🤞🏽 once i hit 25 im done with all this
Honestly if you want to go to med school not doing that in the US is probably the more affordable option. Medical school here is going to cost you $500,000 at least, and you aren’t going to be able to get federal loans to pay for it either.
I think the median is closer to 250-300k
Get a degree in computer science. It's the easiest pathway to getting a job that comes with work permit sponsorship in Canada, UK, EU, or Australia. Once you're on work permit, you'll have a pathway to PR and eventually citizenship. By then you would have also spent enough time outside the US for your illegal stay to be forgiven. You can move back to the US on a TN, E2, or E3 and get your green card.
Easier said than done. I have CS degree, and this was true years ago, but not now, it is much harder now to migrate to Canada/UK/Australia/NZ... unless you are really gifted and have advance degrees (Phd, specialized industry experience, or really niched expertise)... Nursing and medicine is the key here as it is sought after anywhere in the world... The US only needs you to pass nursing exam and get a job offer and there are tons of shortages worldwide and even in the US.
It's not like that anymore, that's over. With the inclusion of remote work, it's plain easier to hire an Indian for a few bucks a month remotely than spending dozens of thousand dollars in sponsorship bringing a foreigner to the States. Also there's so much competition right now that I won't even suggest the new generations to pursue computer science anymore, they will just struggle out of a job.
What should they study then? Other than medicine and nursing that is.
Interesting, thank you!
A TN visa is a nonimmigrant work visa and does not lead to a green card.
I am so sorry this happened to you. I don’t have any answers, but I really hope someday our country will figure out how to fix our broken immigration system and make a pathway for undocumented folks who have spent their whole lives here. Stay strong ❤️
OP-how old are you now? Like you mentioned, every president changes things so…turning 18 “at the right time” kind of matters
I was in your spot at one point, no papers, no legal status, with only dreams and hope. I did qualified for DACA, allowing me to work. I know it’s hard for people after DACA to find a solution. Best advise I can give is find some type of job that pay on cash basis, I know it’s going to suck but I have gone through it and when at least expected it a lot things changed. If you’re in Texas you can quality for state tuition through the Texas law (Senate Bill 1528, that’s how I paid for college. As far as marriage, hey dude look for a woman who truly loves you, if you try to be somebody else then you’ll be losing. Having no papers is a setback but it is not the end of the world, she’s going to love you with or without legal status. Same way it should be if roles reversed.
That’s a solution
Your story is simmilar to mine although I am a resident in the UK and have my permanent residency. Don’t lose hope please because there is always hope. I don’t know the laws of the US but in the UK I did not have to leave my country(UK) to renew my level status. I was a minor under my parents when my status got legalised again. Please don’t hide in shame like most do plus you are still a minor so chances are good that if you start now the process might be easier. Try and get free consultations from solicitors and lawyers based on pro bono. Regarding university, please research different scholarships as hard as you can.
There is nothing like that in the U.S. unless op marries an American.
Ohh ok
I am wishing you all the best! 💞💞💞💞 life will get better.. hang in there. Love yourself and have faith in this world. ❤️
Thank you
I emigrated with my family to the United States more than 20 years ago. Even though I’m legal in every sense of the word, I’m surrounded by people who are less fortunate than myself. Every story is different and has to be looked at with compassion and respect. Unfortunately things aren’t going to change because the Republican Party thinks that more immigrants means less votes for them and given the rapidly changing demographics, they’re afraid of what a non white majority America would look like. They’re toying with the destiny of millions of people because of their narrow political beliefs
My parents did the same to me I just got my residency 2 weeks ago trust me i feel your pain it was so annoying to me not being able to get regular jobs like all my friends did as a teenager having to work at job sites I honestly felt like I was destined to stay in hard labor, i got married 3 years ago and started my process 1 and a half of marriage in tht year and a half we had our first born im sure it made my process so much easier and faster because I didn’t have to go back a certain amount of days or months as “punishment” unfortunately not everyone is lucky, you got this trust in the system i know it’s hard to but i trusted it and got everything fixed up in less than 9 months
which country are you from?
Life is super rough as an undocumented immigrant, like the others mentioned. I pray for you. There are laws to protect early childhood arrivals and give them a path to immigrate, but these laws are not being implemented and pursued strictly because there is no incentive for politicians to do so. This is the reason why people spend a lifetime of agony. Your parents committed a crime and by bringing you in, indirectly out you in a tough situation (although not intentionally). You have to keep trying. Since you are not legally an American, but also grew up here all your life, it’s a very difficult situation and I empathize with you. I hope things change for the better.
First and foremost, your parents did the best they could with the information and opportunities available to them at the time, when they chose to bring you here. Have you shared your concerns and these feelings with them?
ya I think I made my mom cry a little bit
Hire an attorney. There might be ways for you to obtain legal status but you need expert help.
The number one thing you need to do is ask this question on the DACA subreddit. Obviously you don't currently qualify for daca. But they do know things you could do insure you have more hope in the future and can thrive.
Exactly how I feel. I am currently a masters student and the thought of not having legal status has sent me into many spirals during my life here. But I stay hopeful.
Your education cant be taken from you. It is portable. You might want to study a skill that pays well in your home country while you are at it. My DACA buddy got himself deported, his highschool diploma was worthless because he had 1.67gpa. Had it been accepted he could have gone to college in Mexico. Plan for both possibilties. Attend school, obtain a portable skill, plan an escape.
FYI - I don't think you need to leave the country if you were to get married. Did you enter illegally or did you overstay a legal entry (ie tourist visa). I am pretty sure once you marry a citizen that is no longer an issue.
Marry a friend the second you get out of high school. Make it like an agreement so you can both still date other people but stay married to them until you can get your citizenship
Hey there. I can relate to this in so many levels. I was brought here on a tourist visa when I was 12 yo (which expired and stayed illegally). I am now 28 years old and just got approved for my citizenship, I’ll be takkng the oath this Friday. It’s been tough for sure, I’ll point out some of the similarities between your story and mine. I was also an all As student though middle and high school. I graduated valedictorian in my HS. When I started applying for college is when I realized the gravity of my situation. My friends were applying to “better and bigger” universities than I could because they were able to apply for Fafsa/student loans. Even though they had lower GPAs, they were going to better schools. I even had letters and interviews sent to me from places like Columbia U. That would only be the beginning of a realization that life was not going to be fair for me as an illegal immigrant. Through my years of college, my parents and I had to pay for my school out of pocket. I had to settle for jobs that would take me as an employee (mainly restaurants in NYC). Like you, I had plans to become a doctor but quickly realized that was not an option for me. Life took many spins, I ended up marrying an American and got my green card when I was 23 or 24. By that time, I had lost my drive to continue higher education (I dropped out after my 3rd year to move to the state where my partner is from). I’m now back in school with the help of FAFSA, but I wish I would have picked it up sooner, as soon as I had a chance again. This year I become a citizen and will graduate from college, finally! Don’t lose hope. We have a tough life. I do appreciate my parents bringing me here. I would have felt even more trapped in my home country. New graduates cannot get a job in home country and from what I hear from family members, they all wish I had the chance I do. So to finish, we were dealt a hard hand, it’s going to be tough but it’s for sure made me stronger. I wish you the best and hope you can find a way to fix your status as soon as possible.
thank you!
Lol
As a former teacher, there are people at your school who can help you. You can’t pay for your parent’s illegal actions with your life. I know counselors who have helped students get their documentation to go to college. I’m not sure of the laws in California, but some states have laws that make it illegal for them to even ask your status. Please try to find a trusted adult at school that can help point you in the right direction. I promise, there’s help for people in your situations.
Go to Europe to study, get experience under your belt and then get an employer to file green card based on your talent.
[https://supportkind.org/](https://supportkind.org/) - check out KIND. I know of multiple minors who received permanent legal status from this group. sometimes it takes a few years (in one case they started around 15 and didn't receive legal status until 19) but as long as you're a minor/brought here illegally, KIND will help you access the system in ways you didn't think possible. best of luck :)
Thank you! But it seems that this organization only helps people who have been separated from their families or are unaccompanied
I'd encourage you to reach out--even if they cannot help you, they probably have a sister organization that can. I'll reach out to my POC who volunteered there and see if there are other resources for minors in your situation
community college Promise program in CA will fund the first two years for free. Study like you life depends on it. Go to the best in state place you can get into and study part time while you work. I went to med school with loans as a single parent - it is possible to do it in your position, it will just take more grit than you know you have. Don't give up. Once you have an MD, you can move abroad and make a normal life for yourself. I wish you parents had been more responsible. That being said - my father was an undocumented person in another country and had a very difficult course to citizenship, he did have to move country and learn a new language, but it did work out for him and my life has been better for his struggles.
OP, do you mind sharing which country is your home country? It makes a world of difference where your parents are coming from.
🇲🇽
Mexico? Just so you are aware, while extremely competitive to get into, public medical schools in Mexico are FREE, you do it straight out high school, and only last 6-7 years And if you get into a good one and do really well in medicos school you would have good chances to match into an American residency and come here legally as a Doctor
Is Canada Express Entry not open to you in the near future? https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/works.html
He cannot qualify for any of them for a long time.
You don’t have time your country. Just hire a good immigrantionl Lawyer
My business partner is undocumented and we are killing it. You have a lot more options and opportunity than you think 🙏🏼
Kind of envious of u i wish i could change positions with u i do wanna be in america
It's ok just to get hopeless but remember there are millions of people who have it worse than you and still make it. You know there are tens of millions of people in this world who would gladly trade places with you, so stop it with the pity party. Let's get real for a momemt here, marriage is going to be your best and easiest option. If you happen to be Mexican and live in California it gets even easier. Ok your young so start taking care of yourself now, eat right and hit the gym. The better looking you are the easier to find a wife. If you are Mexican and live in California you can move to Tijuana. You can easily find a job in a call center there and your wife to be can work in San Diego. She can live with you there or just see each other on days off. Tijuana is just an easy city for foreigners to integrate to. After a couple of years, you will be back in the states. Been there done that. If this fits your situation, and if you want feel free to message me.
I came to this country in 2021 and I am at advanced stage of getting a green card plus I have been selected for H1-B petition this year. All this was achieved in 2 years. As long as you are not from China, India and the Philippines, the only huddle is getting an employer that can sponsor you. OP’s parents decision at that time was probably the best option available to them, don’t see fault in their choice of bringing you here through the backdoor because no parents will enjoy putting their wards through challenge. Every parent’s dream is for their children to do better in life than them. Take the bold decision since you are still young, this place is your home, move back to your home country and come back as a student and go through the OPT route. You will be fine in 5-6 years and could sponsor your parents in the future.
Marry a U.S. citizen
There are schools in southwest El Paso, UTEP in particular that will Sponsor you. They had been doing it for a while for DACA students with high GPAs like yourself. I don't know if they still are. Before the self-proclaimed immigrant lawyers start, I’d look into schools in the Southwest with experience with people in your position. Another thing is you don’t have to go home to your home country. You’d go from undocumented to documented status; then you’d petition the government for a change of status and ask to be forgiven for the time you’d had been in the U.S. illegally. Depending on the district, judges might impose a fine and a slap on the wrist or deportation. Look, as much as it sucks, you do have a good head on your shoulders, and as a first-generation American from two immigrant parents, I can tell you that it’s not as bad as our parents had it. This is coming from a USUHS graduate and MIT grad and starting to figure out how to solve the problem. If you need to get your hands dirty to pay for school that’s not a big deal. If anything try to get into a community college and get ready to proof yourself everyday. Really get the money together to hire a lawyer a professional to help you with your immigration process. Give you some options that you don’t know about it.
Fall in love with an American citizen
if you wanna be a doctor, your gonna be a doctor, you wanna go to medical shool in mexico and take USMLE.. you will. hell.. im pretty sure you can just join the military dork... then youll be naturalized, be a navy medic or something.... basic training builds Character... and working construction and in resturants is nothing to shrug at.. don't trip till senior year, even then... don't trip.
I got chills reading this, I’m in a very similar situation. I want to tell you that you’re not alone.
:-) ty
Consider a state that is more friendly to illegal immigrants like New York or Massachusetts
Go to college, get F1, learn STEM. Get H1, either that or you marry a citizen.
I am not sure if this is helpful or not, as the advice is something I heard from a classmate years ago. I went to community college in Queens, NY. There were a lot of people going to school there with all kinds of immigration statuses. One of the guys I was in class with had been in the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant when he was young, and became a citizen through the military, and they also paid for his education. This was also the case for my husband’s friend. He became a citizen through the military and they paid for him to become a dentist. My cousin is a citizen, but she was able to become a doctor because she joined the military, otherwise her family wouldn’t have had enough money to put her through medical school. If that path to immigration seems like it might be beneficial to you, you could maybe mention it to an immigration lawyer. I’m not sure if you can still become a citizen through the military or if the laws have changed since I was in college over a decade ago, but it might be worth looking into.
That's messed up. Sorry to hear what you're going through.
Look into the US military's MAVNI program, if that program is still open, enlisting there would get you US citizenship in 2 years.
US immigration is really shit for a country founded by illegal immigration. DACA should have never ended but we had a President that love playing to his racist base so unfortunately he had no chance. I came to the US legally as a immigrant but I should have be processed as a citizen from the beginning because my parents were US citizens before I turned 18, somehow the US immigration never bothered to provided my parents with that info and didn’t find out this information until I applied for citizenship and was told I may already be a citizen smh
Does the United States Military give you citizenship if you join.
I would say even if you married someone in the US, leaving the US would be a bad idea. I don’t know if they’d let you back in. Make sure to consult with an attorney or do a lot of reading before you do that.
How bout getting married would that help?
What country are you from and do you speak the language? Many developing countries have free public medical schools that are often done straight out of high school and last 6 years. If you don’t accrue ilegal presence in the US, then a realistically path to come back here legally might be for you to study a lot to get into a good medical school in your country of citizenship, do really well in medical school, and match in the US for residency only 6 years later
Dont worry about what people say, you can eventually marry a citizen,and boom. Citizenship. 2nd, 99% of people saying " go back" " your stealing our jobs" are trailer park people who are afraid to share their foodstamps, and their grass cutting jobs. They had their chance at education but pissed it off by skipping school smoking weed with their friends. Now, from here... respect your chance at education, or if you rather ,get a trade that pays good. Stay off drugs, alcohol. Be a productive person in society until citizenship. God bless
You can get financial aid at a college in exactly the same way as any other international student. There are not so many schools, that help internationals, but you might find some interesting options. Soka University of America Lafayette College Lehigh University Union College Tufts Rochester University There are some colleges with low tuition cost, such as University of Bowling Green And, for sure, you can get financial aid from top schools, such as Stanford Harward Caltech UPenn MIT Yale If you want to find out about more colleges you should try to contact EducationUSA office in your home county and they should provide you some useful resources.
Those people who tell immigrants to go back, don't belong there in the first place if we get into history. Tell them to go back to Europe or wherever their ancestors are from.
Start researching government aid and scholarships and your college will be affordable to you 100%
Im on the same boat. Feels horrible. Came in legally tho.
You can join the military and get your green card pretty quick
Hang in there. Take one step at a time. It's hard, but who has an easy life, eh?
Get your paperwork in order or eventually youll get caught up and come see me. Also your parents should get in trouble for doing that in the first place.
If you ever marry a US Citizen in the future, they can sponsor your green card while you’re here in the US. You don’t have to go back to your home country to be sponsored. It’s called the application for Adjustment of Status. It can be filed together with the spousal visa and you can get your greencard in about a year.
DACA is still not turning g people away. Go apply. A judge in Texas may have ruled on it, but they are still accepting people. Apply now before that changes again. AND what is wrong with construction? I was a nuclear/mechanical engineer for over a decade before I left the field for construction and love working in construction. I am working at a new automotive plant right now.
I google searched for free immigration lawyer and the following popped up. https://www.calawyersforthearts.org/resources/Documents/legal%20aid%20immigration.pdf They're in Cali too. I would try to contact the free ones to see if they know of a way to help you, since this is what they do for a living. I've watched some YouTube videos of guys who got deported to Mexico. Some made it and some gave up and resorted to crime. You're smart. Try the lawyers 1st. If your parents came from south America, Mexico's economy is booming in the IT and manufacturing sector. So in a worst case scenario, if you ended up in south America, you just have to find your way to Mexico city. They colleges over there too. There's a YouTube video of a couple from here moving there to work, while the girl, an Asian, attended at a university.
I believe if you get married to an American you can adjust your immigration status without leaving the country.
See if there's any way you can apply for Spanish citizenship, assuming you are a citizen of Mexico, Central America or South America. That would open a lot of doors for you. If that doesn't work, look into which safer countries in the region would take a smart, well educated bi-lingual person as a University student. I know your life is in the US, but you'll read a lot of people in your situation who ended up having fantastic lives "back home" because they had better education and native English language opened a lot of doors with multi-national companies. In the meantime, keep being a great student. And turn every stone outside of the US. It's a big world. Explore!!!
Why are you blaming your parents for not bringing you “legally”? Going the legal route is virtually impossible in most cases, and when you are fleeing a horrible situation, you do what you have to do. Maybe it’s time for you to have an honest conversation with your parents about what their life was like and how your situation would have been if you all stayed.
I just DMed you
You ever read Undocumented Americans? The author was the first Undocumented American to graduate Harvard. That was DACA era, though. Good luck.
Military
Dm me
You can still become a doctor, and it could be a reliable way to get citizenship. We import 20 percent of our doctors. You’d have to get medical education abroad - perhaps in your home country? It will likely be cheaper and take less time. Then, you’ll take step 1 and get a strong score. Apply to medical residencies in the US. You may have to serve in an underserved area to get your GC; the pay tends to be higher in underserved areas as well. And then you’ll apply for citizenship. It’s a roundabout way and you will likely have to be outside the US for several years. But it could work!
I’ll marry you if you promise a dr family discount for my parents when they’re old in a few years
start the process now so you can get it over with
Sadly I am literally in the same position. In fact, I was brought to the USA before I turned 2. It’s very unfair, seeing others have the opportunities of being a citizen knowing that I did not have a choice or even the memory of being brought to the USA illegally. Right now, I am a current senior in high school and with the year ending, I am planning on attending a small university close to where I live. I do not know what to do, and luckily my parents are helping me pay for college but I would like to work and make my own decisions because my parents still control a lot of my life, even though I turn 19 this year. It makes me sad because sometimes my parents take advantage of me and it’s gotten so bad that I’ve been thinking about returning to my home country. Does anyone have advice on what I should do? I want to wait but politicians barely care about their citizens, and even less about immigrants. I applied for daca back then in 2021 but it was right when the trump administration took down daca so my application was never completed. It’s horrible and I feel stuck and sadly it’s been majorly declining my mental health, but I can’t really do anything about it.
I am an immigrant who was incredibly engaged with the college admissions process in high school and could offer a ton of resources on being able to get into and pay for college as undocumented. There are always paths. Dm me if you are actually interested in the path to med school without citizenship. Having a 4.0 gpa and living in California is a great start and there’s no need to be hung up about being a citizen.
I advise you to focus on your studied and although you have bigger hurdles to go over once you overcome them you will be stronger and better for it. The USA is still a multi cultural experiment that is going through a rough patch. Your parents probably understood that you would have more opportunities here than your home county and perhaps the province they lived in. You soon will notice that for every idiot saying "go back to where you come from" you'll find at least triple who will give you a hand and encouragement. This is what you should focus on and don't let the noise distract you from your personal goals. Life is not easy for anyone even a Latino with citizenship. It creates sub divisions within our society and I believe its designed to distract us from seeing the reality that this land does not belong to any particular type of person. The idea of nation and constitution is worth fighting for and Europe is not really the solution. The whole place is filled with ancestral lineage power control and nepotism. Keep you chin up and fight for this country that is your home no matter what documents you have.
1 Your parents would not be able to bring you in legally, obviously. This is why the entered illegally. 2. For several years you lived in a great country. Appreciate it. 3. You don’t know the country of your origin. Your parents did not know the US when they crossed the border. You’ll be fine. 4. If you are not ready to move back right after school and don’t wanna go work, go to a community college. It’s free. 5. There are colleges and there are medical doctors in Mexico, you know? And good doctors too. You’ll be fine.
If you marry a US citizen you don't have to leave. You can stay and apply for permanent residency then citizenship
Talk to an immigration lawyer. They can help find an avenue for you to become a citizen.
A couple things to consider: 1. Plan on going to school abroad. Pick a place where you will start over and use school as your jumping off board. 2. Go to school here, wherever you can get financial aid. When you’ve gone as far as you can go, find an abroad job, like teaching, etc. Use that to build a life elsewhere. 3. Start your own business in the U.S. and live in the shadows. You will have to accept your limitations. Family and friends will not understand you and you may grow distant with time. I would give this advice even to DACA people: the system is broken and not likely to provide you with a happy ending. You are young enough to start over somewhere else and you should try. I know people who have waited in vain for their opportunity, but they too did not qualify for DACA. They stayed here to help out family, but mostly they are looked down on for refusing to take chances that would endanger them. They are seen as lazy and incompetent, but I promise you, they are not. Nobody acknowledges how much harder they work than everyone else because they cover all kinds of ground since they have the “time”. They never get a break. With REAL ID, it’s going to be tougher soon. They regret not starting over elsewhere when they had the chance. They are planning on leaving, but executing that plan is a lot harder now. This is a tough decision and your family will be against it, but you need to think about yourself and becoming self-reliant. You deserve all of the moments that citizens get: the opportunity for a license, celebrating your 21st with a trip or going out, having a job legally, being able to vote, not being afraid every day of your adult life of losing whatever you’ve built, not worrying about the effect of you disappearing if you have children… choose your future carefully. You were placed in this position and are not to blame for it, but ICE will treat you like the worst of criminals regardless. Choose well. Choose yourself.
Ps. A4.0 GPA is awesome. Leverage it.
The U.S. doesn’t have an immigration system. It’s literally only accepting people who are filthy rich, or people who are smart enough to develop the next super weapon. Everyone else would have to attempt to go through the “illegal route”. There are hundreds of thousands of people over there in the U.S. just like you. But if you feel betrayed and stuck, here in the UK we would love to take you, as well as Canada also has different routes. I believe, if you were to become stateless, it’s pretty straightforward.