My name is Juan

"Knowing that over a million legalized citizens were sent to Mexico by force is so scary."

No, no no. You got is wrong. They were not legalized. They were born here. You see there was once a war between Mexico and USA and USA took over California with people living here. They became US citizens by force. Then they had children and families and they were living here on their land.

As I said upfront you need to change your mentality.
Do not listen to the above people. Do not contact church and do not contact newspapers. You may get arrested and deported. Do not underestimate hatred. It takes only one stupid person and your bad luck and you'll end up in prison. ICE is not a joke.

There are 2 ways for you to legalize - 1st is to marry a citizen or 2nd - get arrested and then going through a painfull and risky process of getting a residency permit through court proceedings. I wouldn't ever advise anyone to risk that. Save some money and put them aside in case you ever get arrested. You know, lawyers and fees are high. You need to be self dependent. Do not put your poor parents in the position to help you if you ever get arrested. This is your priority. You need money. You may not know that yet but most illegals save money "just in case". I'd say you'd need anything between 10-20 thousand dollars put aside. And as for the "good jobs" - do not apply for jobs in high tech industry having anything to do with the government - because they run FED checks and you will be fully exposed. Keep low profile until you resolve your issue with a nice and warm US born citizen cheerleader. Good luck.










[edit on 20-11-2007 by 7jg12]

[edit on 20-11-2007 by 7jg12]

reply to post by 7jg12


I'm confused about your views on this. You're asking this young man to ignore going the legal route, and just get married? True, that would accomplish what he wants, but is that really the way that he should do this? I believe that anything worth having is worth fighting for, and this would definitely fall into that category.

Perhaps I'm not seeing things correctly. If so, could you please enlighten me?

TheBorg

"I'm confused about your views on this. You're asking this young man to ignore going the legal route, and just get married?"

Do not be confused. THERE IS NO LEGAL WAY OUT OF THIS.
He could be another Albert Einstein and he WILL NOT legalize himself under current immigration law.


"True, that would accomplish what he wants, but is that really the way that he should do this? I believe that anything worth having is worth fighting for, and this would definitely fall into that category."


He is young and confused. His parents probably told him about his status recently. Maybe he wanted to go to Mexico with friends and his parents just enlightened him. Who knows? He needs time to get around with this.
There are hundreds of thousands of people like himself. It's sad - but it is our reality.

[

Originally posted by benevolent tyrantContact a good immigration lawyer. I know that this might cost you dearly financially but, then, what are you options? Of course, you might find a lawyer that will take your "very special case" on a pro-bono basis.

Contacting an immigration lawyer is a safe avenue to go down. Even initial consultations (typically free) are covered by attorney-client privilege. The attorney would face losing his license to practice law if he were to "turn you in". Furthermore, there are quite a number of attorneys who are political activists in their own right. With a case as exceptional as yours seems to be, it might be quite possible that the attorney might take your case on pro-bono -- free.

When you see your attorney, be certain to bring along any records that you might have pertaining to your parents: birth certificates, any addresses that you might have or remember and so forth. Also, be certain to bring along your education records, your degrees, your grades and any "feeler" letters that you say that you have received from government agencies, companies and the like. Doing this will clearly demonstrate your worth to the the nation, as a whole, and can be a justification in itself for your remaining in the US.

Originally posted by benevolent tyrantContact local Church Groups: The Catholic and the Lutheran Churches are often noted for their activism in areas of human rights. Circumstances like yours would certainly garner sympathy and support. Furthermore, you could certainly use some prayer in this horrific predicament that you have found yourself.

If you go to a church, especially the Catholic Church, see the priest. If you specifically ask the priest to regard what you have to say to him regarding your case as a "confession", the priest will be unable to repeat anything you might have told him to anyone! Much like an attorney - client privilege, the priest is bound by his vows to remain silent. He can't even tell anyone anything you say (without your permission) even if you were confessing to murder!!!

Incidentally, the priest might be one of your best resources in this effort as they often know attorneys who take on difficult situations. Besides, you could probably use some basic counseling to help you deal with the stress of this situation.

In the meantime, who knows, you just might "meet someone". Indeed, marriage is one avenue towards becoming legal. And, in my case, I am not suggesting marriage as a means to an end. But, if the situation should arise naturally, marriage is one avenue that might prove to be in your favor. But you should expect some difficulties. The immigration people do go to great length to verify that any marriage undertaken is not one of convenience.

"If you go to a church, especially the Catholic Church, see the priest."


Yeah right. Pray. If one time is not enough - pray twice.

Man, where are you from?
There are counties in this country requiring the Police Department to check a status of a person stopped during traffic check. Then the information is exchanged with ICE. If you get too close to the border - you can meet ICE officials on the streets. There are check points on freeways. People are being arrested EVERY DAY. A friend of mine who was a legaly admitted student was arrested on a checkpoint on Freeway 10 between New Mexico and Texas. The only document he had at the time was a California state drivers license because he was on a Greyhound bus on his way to his girlfriend family. He was put in jail for 3 days before his status was confirmed with his school. There are cities in here that outlawed renting properties to illegals. Well, that was fought later in court but the intentions of some people are clear. Juan may drive a car and get hit by another car from behind and the patrol may arrest him. It depends which county he's in at the time. He may be admitted to a hospital and might get arrested.

I just can't believe you people are so naive.
Go to church? You are kidding right?
How about asking his Congresman?





[edit on 20-11-2007 by 7jg12]

Originally posted by 7jg12
I just can't believe you people are so naive.

And I can't believe that you make his situation seem so hopeless that there's nothing that he can do to remedy this situation other than to leave the country. There's always hope, and for you to try to sway his opinion away from at least trying to do something decent is quite revealing about your views on many levels.

A word of advice: If you want someone to listen to you, perhaps you should consider giving them an option that's at least reasonable, other than just continuing to break the law. There are exceptions to laws that allow for situations such as his. All he needs to do is to try. It couldn't hurt to at least do that, now could it?

Now I know that you'll say that he could get deported. You're right on this, but if what you say is true, he's going to eventually be busted and sent back anyway. So why not try to remedy the problem pro-actively, rather than waiting for them to bust him? At least this way he can say that HE came forward in the hopes that some would understand, and help him. I mean he's an orphan. If two illegal aliens jump over with a child of 2, and both parents die in the attempt, what happens to the child? Do they send him/her back across? Or do they make him/her a nationalized citizen?

See? The waters are getting muddier!!

Juan,

I'm pullin' for ya bud. You can do this. Good Luck.

TheBorg

I should probably clear up a couple things.
I have known that I was illegal my entire life. From the time I asked my mom (I think I was 5 or 6) if we could visit the pyramids in Mexico. That is when my parents told me I could never go back unless I planned on staying there. Senior trip to Cancun? wrong, had to tell them I couldn't afford it and when my girlfriends parents offered to pay I had to down with a bad case of the flu...yes my entire life has been like this, looking over my shoulder.

As for my parents? they both passed away, My dad had a heart attack when he was 45 and my mom died a year later (three years ago) from diabetic complications that put her in a coma for six weeks. She was my last know living relative. (THERE IS NO ONE ELSE)

Ever since she passed its been a million to Juan, a million to one chance that I would get to college, a million to one that I would graduate, a million to one that MIT would consider me, a million to one that I would get picked up for something trivial and get shipped off to Mexico.

Sorry to sound so down today but I usually try to forget it all and just keep my chin down and keep on keeping on.

As far as saving up 10 to 20 k for a rainy day? I'll think about starting to save it after I buy my ramen noodles for this week and see what I have left over after bus money.

And getting married? wouldn't it be obvious to them? besides, with work and school I'm sleeping four hrs a day/night. I don't even know where to begin looking for a girlfriend let alone a wife. hat one my friend is easier said than done.

And going to the newspaper or any kind of social activist is out of the question, the minute MIT got wind of it they would yank me in to find out what is going on.. No, I feel I have to keep my head down and do this as covertly as possible.

Don't get me wrong guys I truly appreciate everyone trying to help, I really, really appreciate everyone's advice and it makes me happy to know there is still kind people in this world.

I spoke to six different attorneys between yesterday and today. all but two flat out said they were too busy with paying customers to do any pro-bono at this time, the other two supposedly are getting back to me.

Thats where I am right now. I have a few more numbers to call yet.

Thank you guys.

Originally posted by TheBorg

And I can't believe that you make his situation seem so hopeless that there's nothing that he can do to remedy this situation other than to leave the country. There's always hope, and for you to try to sway his opinion away from at least trying to do something decent is quite revealing about your views on many levels.

A word of advice: If you want someone to listen to you, perhaps you should consider giving them an option that's at least reasonable, other than just continuing to break the law. There are exceptions to laws that allow for situations such as his. All he needs to do is to try. It couldn't hurt to at least do that, now could it?
TheBorg

OK. OK.
There is hope in an amnesty for students.
This is the only real option for him.
There are high chances that he will be covered by it.
Until then he'll just waste his time and money for lawyers.

If you are interested in the screwed law of immigration, you might visit the following forums:

www.immigrationportal.com...
murthyforum.atinfopop.com...

Read and learn.

with work and school I'm sleeping four hrs a day/night.

To Juan:
Just curious, what type of work do you do?








[edit on 20-11-2007 by 7jg12]

reply to post by 7jg12

I work at a family owned chinese restaurant, yes, I am a chinese buffet cook...don't laugh, its not that bad.

Juan, are you familiar with the Dream Act? Here is info on it. en.wikipedia.org...

While it remains uncertain, it's a good place to start research for your plight and many more people like you.

reply to post by Valerina

Valerina,
thank you for the information on the DREAM act.I have never heard of it. It soundds like it hasn't been approved yet? I would definetely meet the qualifications for it.

Haven't you heard about the student amnesty? Nooo??
Man, are you really illegal? No offence - but it is unusual. VERY unusual.
You keep on saying you know your status for 20+ years and you never heard of a Dream Act?
You are not a kid. You're 24. With all these qualities and qualifications, diplomas and shools. You should know.

Man, I am sorry - but I stopped believing you.
You are a joke.

reply to post by 7jg12

No I am not up to speed with all the immigration laws. Until recently, with all the activity going on did I start looking into it. You must understand that the classes I have been involved with since I was 15 have been very difficult and I have had to work to support myself. If all I did all day was play video games and hung out with other illegals I would be more up to speed with the laws. Other than this site I don't speak of this to anyone else. I am the only illegal alien that I know, besides maybe you.

Originally posted by amillion2juan
Other than this site I don't speak of this to anyone else. I am the only illegal alien that I know, besides maybe you.

First sentence is OK. Good. Keep doing that.
Second sentence - wrong. Remember? Keep low profile. Blend with the population. Do not make people angry while exposing youself.
I'd add one more thing, but I am usure if it gets deserved attention:
Do never show anyone what you really think.

reply to post by 7jg12

Thanks. I am not saying anything to anyone who knows who I am until I have some kind of security about my status. You guys have helped out alot and I am going to start researching more on immigration laws.

Right now I have to get back to "Tissue and Organ Regeneration in Adults" really interesting reading if you get the chance. We are researching a new biomaterial that may be able to establish functional synapsis. Think of it as microfibers that conduct electric signals between nerve cells. I'm pretty excited about the theory of it. (sorry, I can practically hear the yawns and see the eyes glazing over)

good night everyone.

Originally posted by amillion2juan
We are researching a new biomaterial that may be able to establish functional synapsis. Think of it as microfibers that conduct electric signals between nerve cells.

You mean when someone gets cut with a knife and nerves are severed - you might be able to fix it? It's 3 am in Massachusetts, kind of late for a student working hard and studying. These fibers would be good. I think you should tell us more about it.


[edit on 21-11-2007 by 7jg12]

reply to post by 7jg12
Yeah it is late or early, I usually only get about 4hrs of sleep. It is a bio/chemical fiber that is supposed to bond between nerve cells and repair the broken link. Christopher Reeve's cure. If it works. That is as much as I can say about it for now. good night guys.

J

Jaun,

I am sorry to hear about the hate mail.
You seem like a promising well educated young man.

Best of luck to you!

-Staples

Juan

MIT is is Massachusetts (duh!). Mass. has two of the most liberal US Senators in Congress.

Call Kerry or Kennedy. If they can't help, no-one can.