Uh oh. I am an illegal. How will this affect me?

<p>lol, seriously .. you think it's impossible to get a job as an illegal?
If it was-- people would most definitely not be making such a big deal out of it--because the whole "stealing our jobs" argument wouldn't hold up.</p>

<p>Paradycia, I wrote: "he cannot legally get a job anywhere in the U.S." Obviously, about 10 million undocumented immigrants are working illegally in the U.S., but I was assuming that his goals were a bit higher than washing cars, mowing lawns, or working in a factory, and that is why he is applying to college. I suppose he could also obtain falsified documents and go that route, too, but unlike you, I don't see any humor in the situation.</p>

<p>I guess I must have misread your post, because I was pretty sure it said "he cannot possibly...".
In that case, I apologize.</p>

<p>I can assure you illegal immigrants are doing a lot more than washing cars, mowing lawns & working in factories. Trust me, it might actually surprise you.</p>

<p>The last part of your statement, also, really has nothing to do with anything, because I never said there was anything funny about his situation or anything about falsifying documents. If you're referring to the "lol" at the beginning of my last post, like I've already said--I misread your post & I was laughing at your statement, not the OP's situation.</p>

<p>bluebayou, there's a big difference between being charged in-state tuition rates and the financial aid to pay them.<br>
The UCs cannot give financial support to undocumented students...it is against the law.</p>

<p>In September, a CA appellate court ruled that charging in-state tuition to undocumented students was not legal and is discriminatory to out-of-state students, who pay nearly $20,000 more than CA residents.</p>

<p>"I think you are very confused about your legal status."</p>

<p>yes i am! i have no clue of my legal status. w/e... thanks for all your help guys.</p>

<p>Even if a visa was valid at one point, this doesn't automatically mean the visa is still valid.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>A visa is different from immigration status. A visa is permission to enter the US for a specific purpose. Immigration status is authorization to remain in the USA for a specific purpose. Upon entering the USA using a visa, immigration status is conferred (although this is ultimately at the discretion of border officials). For example, a tourist visa is usually valid for 10 years. However, entering the USA on that tourist visa, immigration status is usually granted for six months or less. A person staying longer than six months does not have immigration status (is undocumented). This is true even if the visa's expiration date is well in the future.</p></li>
<li><p>Immigration status usually has an expiration date, with the obvious exception of permanent resident visas (green cards). Past this expiration date, the individual does not have immigration status. (Student visas are a notable exception; they confer immigration status for the "duration of studies". Thus, they terminate not on a date but because of an event, namely no longer being enrolled at a US educational institution.)</p></li>
<li><p>Immigration status automatically becomes void if the terms of the visa were breached. For example, if someone originally had a visitor visa which does not allow employment and subsequently took a job, that person now has no immigration status.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>If the OP does not even know whether they have immigration status or not, he or she needs to contact an immigration attorney for that reason alone. Only an immigration attorney is qualified to provide legal advice on whether the OP has a valid immigration status and, if not, how to address the situation. Even with a basis for applying for permanent residency or citizenship (e.g., adoption), it's still possible to be deported unless the right steps are being taken to actually apply for permanent residency or citizenship.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p><<^^S-mom: Undocumented students of three+ years in Calif and who graduate from a Calif HS are exempt from answering the citizenship question. They just have to check the box that they have been instate for three+ years and will graduate from a Calif HS, and they will be eligible for instate tuition and will be considered instate for admissions purposes. But, yes, federal finaid is not available to such students.>></p>

<p>No wonder California is going broke and looking at cutting its enrollments.</p>

<p>does anyone know how the UCs will distribute financial aid (if any) to me?</p>

<p>As far as I know, illegal immigrants do not get any financial aid. Illegal immigrants are here illegally.</p>

<p>Ok so here is some advice that may save you a lot of money. It really sounds like you might be a legal resident, not a citizen but still a legal resident. And if you were adopted by US citizens and the application went through then you definitely have some sort of legal status. GO TO A LAWYER!! Ask around, a lot of lawyers give free consultations which should be enough I believe to solve your problem. </p>

<p>PS: Undocumented students would actually help our economy during these times. Do you really think there's gonna be a massive deportation of 12 million illegal immigrants?!? Think about it, personally I would rather have them as doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.. helping our economy rather than working minimum wage jobs in which neither them nor us will really benefit.</p>

<p>maybe i am not illegal but a legal resident perhaps? i presumed i was illegal because i have neither a us citizenship nor a greencard and i am still in the process of getting a greencard.
would this hurt my chances admissions wise?</p>

<p>There are several places you could look for free legal services. The first is the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. They have a Korean-speaking hotline as well, so that if info from your aunt and uncle was needed, Korean speakers could get the information from them. This is their website: Asian</a> Pacific American Legal Center | SERVING | EMPOWERING | ADVOCATING | . They are located in California with their main office in Los Angeles. Their main telephone number in LA (not the Korean-speaking hotline) is: 213.977.7500 .</p>

<p>The second is the Asian American Justice Center. I'm not sure if they offer help to individuals the way the Asian Pacific American Legal Center does, but they may be able to offer you a referral in your area. If the person who answers the phone is clueless, see if you can speak with an attorney who deals with immigration issues. Their website is:
Asian</a> American Justice Center - Advancing Equality</p>

<p>The third is the Asian American Institute. They're in Chicago and it doesn't appear that they do legal work for individuals, but if all else fails, try calling them to look for a referral in your area. Their website is: ASIAN</a> AMERICAN INSTITUTE - EMPOWER EDUCATE ADVOCATE</p>

<p>Please give these places a try. If they don't handle immigration situations like yours, I'm hoping they can refer you to an organization that does. If you are legally adopted by your American relatives and have a green card pending, it doesn't sound as if you're "illegal" at all, and it would be great if an attorney or a paralegal could sort this out for you asap.</p>

<p>This is probably going to get me in trouble.. but... on an individual basis my heart goes out to kids who may find themselves in this position, but when I look at the financial straits that california state universities are finding themselves in, I find it ridiculous that all you need to do is check a box and be deemed eligible for state funds. And then who does california go to to meet their short fall? The US gov't bailout system. And where does that money come from? Me and my taxes. </p>

<p>While my heart goes out to the individual, the grander scheme makes me a little ticked.</p>

<p>
[quote]
maybe i am not illegal but a legal resident perhaps? i presumed i was illegal because i have neither a us citizenship nor a greencard and i am still in the process of getting a greencard.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>perhaps this can give you some insight:</p>

<p>Immigrant</a> visa for a foreign child adopted by US citizens.</p>

<p>
[quote]
The Immigration and Nationality Act divides the definition of child into several sub-groups: natural born children, step-children, and adopted children. The INA recognizes as a child one who has been adopted before the age of sixteen and who has resided with, and been in the legal custody of, the parent for two years. What this means is that a child born overseas to the principal applicant after his or her entry to the US may receive the appropriate dependent visa immediately. A child adopted overseas by a non-citizen must first meet the two year co-residence requirement. The INA does not provide any way for the child to enter the US to satisfy this requirement.
The US consulate cannot issue a J-2 visa - dependent of exchange visitor, to join the parent. However, if the parent leaves the US and lives with the adopted child for two years, they can receive a J-2 visa for future exchange visits to the US.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Modadunn -- While I think that the issues you've raised could merit their own thread, maybe on Parents' Cafe, I hope we can keep this thread focused on helping the OP. </p>

<p>From the sound of it, the OP is not part of the "grander scheme" you're thinking about, but was legally adopted by American citizens who have legally applied for a green card on his behalf, but who have difficulty either understanding or communicating with him about his legal immigration status because of a language barrier. He has no idea how to find out about his actual legal status. Let's help him get this sorted out and argue illegal immigration questions elsewhere.</p>

<p>Consult a lawyer at a legal aid office at once. Look in the yellow pages or on-line for a legal aid office.</p>

<p>
[quote]
And then who does california go to to meet their short fall? The US gov't bailout system.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I only wish. California has long been a tax donor state, not a tax receiver. :)</p>