My name is Juan

I am 24 years old, I received an associates degree in general arts from the University of Arizona when I was 18, I received a BS in Biology from Columbia University when I was 22, I am now enrolled at Massassuchets Institute of Technology for my Masters in Bilogy. I have been offered jobs by government agencies and Private firms and I still have two years left in school. I have felers out to the military and NASA, my goal is to become an astronaut and one day set my foot on Mars.The future looks bright for me wouldn't you agree?

There is only one problem.

I am an illegal alien and it is not my fault. My parents brought me to this country when I was two years old. I grew up in Tucson, AZ and I speak English better than Spanish. I played little league, skateboarded and even dated cheerleaders in high school, I say this not to brag but to put into perspective my life as I was growing up. I did not pick lettuce nor did I wash cars, My mother was never a housekeeper. My father raised us in a modest lower middle class home while working as a mechanic. Since they came into the country illegally they could never become legal and the same goes for me. As the laws shape up to handle all the illegal aliens in this country some of us will fall through the cracks as I am sure there are more people like myself.

Do I wish I was legalized? Yes.
Is it possible for me to do it as the law now stands? No.

I am sure it is only a matter of time before MIT requests my proof of citizenship.

I do not speak Spanish fluently and relocating me to Mexico would be equal to putting me in a foreign land. With no way to support myself and my academic career shot to heck...

What would you have me do?

I would say go through the steps to get your citizenship.

Im sorry that you want to get special treatment, but you don't deserve it, nor are you entilted to it.

My mother had to wait 4 years before she could come to the US and be a citizen.

There are rules in place, and your parents broke them. This is not your fault, it was thier choice to break federal law, and in turn, have made you a federal criminal.

This is a nation of Laws. You are not in line with these laws right now. Im no lawyer, but the way i see it is that your parents broke the law, by coming here(im assuming that they are not citizens either), and by doing that you also broke the laws, or were an exersory to thier law braking.

Maybe the system takes too long to process, and get thru, and become a citizen, but thousands do it each year, and just because it was convenit to brake the law, doesnt mean it was right to do.

So, what are you suppose to do as of now... i guess you can just stay in the sancuary cities... and get a PO box in Mexico, and start going thru the process of being a citizen.

Im sorry that you have been put in this situation, but you seem like a smart guy, and you should be able to rise above this. The US is a forgiving nation, and we welcome all, as long as you play by the rules.

In my opinion, everyone who has violated these laws should pay the penalty for breaking the laws. By ignoring these laws, and not enforceing them, only breds more contempt, and encorages the breaking of more laws.

Im sure some others will come and say something nicer, but i think we need to enforce the laws.

Good luck.

reply to post by TKainZero
Thank you for your honest reply. I stated in my OP I am an illegal alien. I am not denying the fact that I became a Federal criminal when I was two years old. Yes I did it, guilty. I also never asked for special treatment. I simply asked "What would you have me do?"
As you say start the process and get legal. Easier said than done my friend. I will list the only options I have to become legalized.

1.Turn myself in to the border patrol and they will see to it that I get sent back to my original illegal port of entry, which if my two year old memory serves me correctly was in Nogales Arizona. (ths means I drop out of a very difficult to get into university and pack a back pack.)

2.This is the one that I can't figure out. What do I do now? I don't speak Spanish. If I were an American in trouble I would find the U.S. embassy and request help as an American citizen in a foreign land. In my situation they would just show me the door.

So here I am, broke, stranded in a foreign country where I don't know a soul. My parents both passed away and I am an only child. Good grief!

There has to be an answer where I don't end up homeless in Mexico begging tourist for food money. My degrees and brain cells won't mean jack in Mexico I promise you!.

I would like to thank everyone for all the nice HATE mail I have received, just so you know I cannot reply in kind because I don't have 20 posts yet. So I am ust deleting them.

I am so glad our world society has evolved. we are so much better for it. All I asked for was advise and sggestions. All I received were "get lost" u2u's I am so glad I have this community to turn to when I am at my witt's end.

MODS PLEASE CLOSE DOWN THIS THREAD IT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE.

Thank you everyone.

reply to post by amillion2juan


Juan, while I have no answers to your predicament, possibly consulting an immigration lawyer would be in order. I can not see how people/law can hold a child as you where at the time responsible for the actions of your parents.
You say you have received hate mail I would like you to submit it to ATS administration, things of this nature are against the Terms & Conditions of ATS I can assure you it will be dealt with.

Juan, I am very disheartened to that you have received "hate u2u's". This is clearly a violation of the ATS Terms and Conditions and, as such, are "warnable".

If you continue to have such u2u's, please do not delete them! Instead, bring them to the attention of the ATS staff by posting a complaint. Believe me, this type of behavior will not be condoned.

Your thread raises some interesting and poignant issues surrounding the illegal immigration issues.

reply to post by benevolent tyrant

thanks for your support. I really didn't post this for people to feel sorry for me, I was seeking input from maybe someone who has gone through the same thing or knew someone that had. I haven't even told any of my friends, kinda embarrassed about the whole thing, and well, yes I'm scared of what is going to happen. I wake up every morning wondering if today is the day that it comes crashing down.
I guess I'll just keep on keeping on like Joe Dirt and hope for the best. I wish I could afford to talk to an attorney I could at least feel like I am being pro-active. Even if I could speak to my counselor here at school but that would be like entering the lion's den.
Anyway sorry about the pity party, we can close this thread.

Your case clearly shows the grey area of immigration issues. Also, you never did anything illegal by your own will. I was born in new jersey but I don't consider myself any more "American" than you. We are both an equal amount of American. In fact, your a far more productive American than most Americans I've met. Shame on those who messaged you on here for making a broader, general issue into a personal attack. How foolish and petty.

Originally posted by amillion2juan


MODS PLEASE CLOSE DOWN THIS THREAD IT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE.

Thank you everyone.

Honey, i'm very very sorry about your situation. I think you're probably the best thing that has happend to our forum, someone who comes here and pours out their heart and soul and has a genuine PROBLEM, not of your choice, but just circumstances.
I am very sorry for your trouble. You have made quite incredible accomplishments, that only few Americans have made. Listen to me.

Go to an immigration lawyer and bring all your proof and all your accomplishments with you. Tell them you need to resolve this problem as soon as possible. Ask the lawyer for advice on how to handle your school situation, and how you can get help. I am sure, even in these times, that you will have some kind of resolution. It doesnt sound like you're a criminal, you are an asset to America.

Now do what i say and go find a lawyer, one specialising in immigration, not just any lawyer. Dont say anything to your school yet. If the school finds out in the meantime, you tell them your lawyer will be in touch with them.

As far as getting nasty u2u's??? The hell with them. I'm embarrased that people here would do something that mean and evil. There is absolutely no reason for that and people here should support you, not knock you down when you're already down.

Please do what i say and i hope you keep me posted even if its by u2u.

I will tell you i have worked for lawyers and there are ways. I also want to tell you that most of this ATS community is goodhearted and understanding. Dont let a select few (wish i knew who they were) stop you from posting here.

Also, next time you get a hate u2u, forward it to a MOD.

Good luck my friend, buena suerte mi amigo!

Juan,

As above, simply speak to an immigration attorney. Most attorneys have free initial consultations anyway. If they do not feel comfortable with your case, they will give you a lead to one who will handle it. It may be 3 or 4 attorneys before you find the right one.
Take all steps neccessary to become legal. It may be a hassle, but with your background, you can do it.
America was created by immigrants. Legal immigrants. You can do it and it will be worth it.
Good luck.

uan,
I highly suggest that you seek out an Immigration Lawyer. After but a cursory glance at existing and pending Immigration law, I have noted that you might be eligible for an exemption. Yes, an exemption!

Originally posted by amillion2juan
I am 24 years old, I received an associates degree in general arts from the University of Arizona when I was 18, I received a BS in Biology from Columbia University when I was 22, I am now enrolled at Massassuchets Institute of Technology for my Masters in Bilogy. I have been offered jobs by government agencies and Private firms and I still have two years left in school. I have felers out to the military and NASA, my goal is to become an astronaut and one day set my foot on Mars.

As your OP mentioned, you have established yourself as a rather gifted individual in areas of science. You currently attend MIT and you are doing well in your areas of study. This alone might grant you a special exemptory status. Given that you gained entry into the US as a child and that you no longer have any ties with your former country of citizenship, that you entered the US through no deliberate, illegal, action of your own also lends a great deal of weight to your petition for Immigrant Status. Additionally, through my investigation, albeit a basic one, there are numerous indications that "all might not be lost".

Based on what you have stated in your OP, I cannot help but compare it to this excerpt from a US Immigration Document: U.S. Immigration Policy on
Permanent Admissions:

n addition, special exemptions from numerical limits would also be made for
widows and orphan who meet specified risk factors and aliens who have worked in
the United States for three years and who have earned an advanced degree in science,
technology, engineering, or math.

SOURCE

While this excerpt might not deal or refer directly to your case, it certainly indicates that there is a very real possibility that you might realize your dreams. There are exemptions for a multitude of cases and your case falls into an area wherein an exemption might certainly be made.

I understand your fear and the climate of distrust that you have found yourself in but this is a "problem" that can be resolved. Please do yourself a favor and do not delay in seeking out legal assistance.




[edit on 11/18/2007 by benevolent tyrant]

reply to post by TKainZero


Well, I think that you bring up completely valid points. There's only one problem that I see with all of this. This young man had no choice in coming here. How could he be held as an accessory to a Federal Crime, when he can't make any decisions? It's not his fault that his parents broke the law in coming here. I know you said as much, but I think it needs to be made clear here that this does indeed present an interesting case for the law to handle. I know that if a child is born on US soil, then they are a US citizen by right. At that young of an age, couldn't he still have been considered for that?

This merits some looking into.

Juan,

Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention, and welcome aboard to ATS. I hope that your stay is as fruitful as mine has been thusfar. I wish you the best of luck, both on here and in life.

TheBorg

Thank you everyone for your positive words of encouragement. I am starting to feel some hope in this situation.
Mr. Benevolant Tyrant. Thank you for the PDF file link I will read it and highlight anything that might pertain to me. Armed with this I feel that I can talk to a legal counsel (going to have to find pro-bono on this one) and maybe there is something I can do so that I can continue my studies while this works itself out.
The funny thing is that I couldn't even apply for any Hispanic Heritage scholarships because of this. I did receive a few scholarships from different sources that I've never even heard of until I applied for them. Those and grants takes care of school and books (America rocks!)

I still have to work a part time job for spending money and if I don't feel like eating at the Lobdell cafeteria, I don't know if you've heard but the food here is well...
I just can't afford an attorney so I think I will email different attorneys around Cambridge to see if anyone of them feels like they can help me.

I feel like the 2,000 pound gorilla on my back now only weighs 1,500 pounds

I will post on my progress and any developements.

Sincerely,

Juan

I'm happy that I was able to give you some encouraging news. I don't think that things are all that bleak personally.....yeah, it's a tough situation, but I am certain that there is hope.

You might want to find an activist group that deals with the illegal immigration situation.....they might be able to help you while highlighting your case.

People have to understand that all "illegals" are not sponging off of the system.
There are people , like yourself, that can be and are valuable assets to this nation (the US).

Good luck on your fight....please do keep us informed and please remember, we are a community and we can help. Just ask.

i don't really have anything to give you in the way of advice, juan, but i'd just like to say that i support you and your attempt to make things right.

good job, and don't let the ignorant hate get to you

Hi Juan,

You are young. Way too young to know the real way people can hate.
I think you need to start keeping your emotions to yourself, even though I fully sympatize with your position.

There are many people like you, educated, professionals, but yet this country won't give them a chance to legalize.

You need to understand the system that exploits illegal minorities.
This economy needs cheap labor to keep the CPI in check. Low CPI = low government payments to retired. I's all about the money. It's like slavery. This is why there's no amnesty and there's going to be no amnesty in the future.

It is somewhat frightening for a reason - we are heading for a recession and it might not end well economically. In 1930 - after the big market crash - the labor situation became so bad - the authorities decided to deport a large amount of Mexicans. They kicked out 1.2 million AMERICAN CITIZENS + 800,000 illegals to create work places for Americans.

This was called "Mexican Repatriation"
en.wikipedia.org...

You need to be very carefull what you do in your life.

And trust me - there are people with foreign degrees, PHDs and are illegal here. Being an illegal does not mean being poor and illiterate.
If this country was welcoming to foreign educated professionals - the immigration procedure would be swift and simplified. But it is not.
It is just a screwed immigration law that forces people to extend their stay.
You are not an exception. Marry a citizen and get on with your life.

[edit on 19-11-2007 by 7jg12]

While this situation is sad, I have no answers. However, I would like to say that reading some of the remarks to this post and the remarks in the thread, "40 million illegals..", I am highly ashamed of and offended by the way some minds still think in the supposedly enlightened era. As long as we are all so concerned with such unimportant things as race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or whatever, we will never be a race worthy of further evolution into any kind of better, FUTURE society.

The more we fight amongst ourselves, the worse future prospects as a truly peaceful, GLOBAL human society.

Hey Juan,

John, I forgot to mention that I like your moniker.

But it's only a million to one if you let it be.

It seems to me that your odds of success are just a tad better than

" amillion2juan "

You cannot break the law as a 2 year old. So, your parents did, but it has nothing to do with you.
Get thee legal, and all is O.K.
Keep studying. AmeriKa rewards that.

reply to post by 7jg12

Thank you for your post and the information on the repatriation. This is something that I have never heard of. They definetely did not teach it to us in history class while I was growing up and I'm sure no one hears of it unless taking higher level history classes. Wouldn't have run into it in the biology field.
Knowing that over a million legalized citizens were sent to Mexico by force is so scary. How could a country justify something like this? And why are no movies being made about it? One would think this would be in the headlines considering the situation of immigration at the moment.
This is an outrage. The illegals I can see sending them (us) back but to think that even if I became a citizen someone could just tell you to leave simply because of your race? UNTHINKABLE!
I am literally sick to my stomach and in shock right now.
It was difficult reading about the Japanese Amercians that were taken to concentration camps within the U/S. but to just be sent away!? that is just amazing!

Sorry to rant but I am just beside myself. This makes my situation seem like a day at the park.

Thank you for opening my eyes.
(and I was complaining because of some stupid hate mail, I'm so weak)

Juan,
Your plight weighs heavily on my mind. For some reason, I just cannot let go of this. And as much as it disturbs me, I can only guess at the angst that you feel on a daily basis. All that I can say is that you must be living a nightmare -- one not of your making.

Though I can only imagine what you must be going through, if I were you I would:

1. Contact 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.
   
   
2. Contact local Illegal Immigration Activist groups. There is power in numbers and, as an aside, they might be able to finance your legal fees. Keep in mind that your case is, indeed, an exceptional one. They might also be able to provide you with some much needed advice and moral support.
   
   
3. Contact your local newspaper. You might find a columnist or a feature writer that has written articles sympathetic to your plight. A newspaper "throwing it's support" to your plight can be a powerful ally. Never underestimate the power of the Press.
   
   
4. Contact 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.
   

I know that the natural reaction when one faces such overwhelming situations, such as the one you have found yourself, is to simply do nothing. Wishful thinking is just that -- a wish. This won't go away and, as you have expressed, it is only a matter of time before your school, your employer -- someone -- asks for proof of citizenship. Be proactive!