need some advice - very scared

[mrsb1986 0]

Hi everyone, would just like to share my story. I am from the UK and came to visit my then fiance on VWP with no intent to stay here in the USA as we were not planning wedding till December. However we decided to get married, at 54 days into my visit and found out I could adjust my status. We had the money to do it but then had an unfortunate life problem which couldnt be avoided and cost us a lot and we had to use the money for. It is now 5 months after I arrived here...I am out of status and we are sorting out the papers now.

My problem is I am out of status and expecting a baby. I'm living in fear everyday I'm going to be parted from my husband stepdaughter and be alome.

Please tell me will immigration officers come looking for me? I get nervous every knock on the door. Can they just take me away?

I would love to talk to any vwp ovrstays who have been successful. I know we should have been more prepared but life happens and sometimes we make crazy choices. I don't want me and my unborn child to be taken away.

Thanks

[Caryh 5,206]

ICE does not go hunting down over stays. If they did, we wouldn't have 12 million illegal immigrants in the USA.

Plenty of people come on VWP, get married to a USC and then adjust status to become permanent residents. Trouble comes into the process if you entered illegally. The big thing is you need to get your papers filed to stay in the USA like right now. The over stay will easily be forgiven as long as you married a USC. I'm not sure what you life problem was, but your immigration status is also a life problem, as it can affect your ability to stay in the USA with your husband.

And yes, in theory they can just take you away and lock you up until you're deported. But the reality is they're not out there looking for you, and unless you run afoul of the law or get stopped at an immigration check point, nothing will likely happen.

[Ryan H 3,811]

Moved from Tourist Visas forum to Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas forum.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

They don't have the manpower to come looking for you. They look for ones who have committed terrible crimes.

I attended a meeting last night with my Congressman. One of the topics was immigration reform. He said "we have 11 million illegal immigrants in this country and our government is not looking for them. Do you seriously think we can ever deport 11 million people?"

I recall reading a post from another UK member within the last two months that said they had just had a successful AOS interview with no problems, even with a year overstay. I can't find ot now. Each case can be different and from VWP, there is no appeal if something goes wrong and you are denied. It would be best to prioritize getting that done immediately.

[Boiler 45,057]

They could, if they wanted to.

[mrsb1986 0]

Thanks for the help everyone. Feeling a little better. Would love to speak to vwp overstayers who have adjusted to hear your experiences.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks for the help everyone. Feeling a little better. Would love to speak to vwp overstayers who have adjusted to hear your experiences.

Here, I remembered their name http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/440537-approved-aos-from-visa-waiver/

And another thread with a few experiences http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/347527-marriage-based-aos-from-vwp/