Came 15 years ago on tourist visa and tried to become citizen

[Jan Adamowicz 0]

I came to America on a tourist Visa when i was 3 15 years ago. After the visa expired we stayed in America due to Family issues. We tried to become citizens in that time with no advancement in our case. My mom got remarried in the time when I was around 12. She then applied to become a citizen with her new husband. This was 6-7 years ago. Since then our case has not made any improvements with the marriage being called fake and not real even though it was but they just grew apart and got stressed due to immigration issues. For around 2 years nothing has progressed with our case at all. I feel like I am being punished even though I didn't decide to come and my whole life has basically been made here and I constantly feel like I am going to end up deported. It is a constant struggle where it feels like were about to make progress on our case and then it comes to a dead stop once again, not making any progress. I also assume I am going to have to file for citizenship alone now due to me being 18. I am on DACA at the moment but I can't stay on DACA forever. I don't know if it's better to go back home to Europe and take a 10 year ban and try to become a citizen from there, or if I should stay and hope. If I have to leave id rather do it sooner rather than later, especially with me going to college in 3 months and not being able to take out any loans or any financial aid to help me pay for college. I have lost all hope and don't know what to do anymore

[Umka36 781]

Unfortunately your parents put you in this predicament, so the blame/struggle you are having honestly lies there first and foremost.

 

In regards to US citizenship, the first step is gaining permanent residency (PR) status. I don't know how you can by pass this step as DACA does not provide such status. Unless laws changed to allow DACA the ability to gain PR, the only option I see that you have is getting married to a US citizen.

 

Maybe others are able to provide alternative solutions to your problem.

Edited May 31, 2018 by Umka36

[Crazy Cat 44,616]

12 minutes ago, Umka36 said:

the only option I see that you have is getting married to a US citizen.

But the OP should not marry a USC strictly for immigration benefits. That could carry a very severe consequence.

 

OP......I wish you well..

[Mollie09 1,543]

3 hours ago, Jan Adamowicz said:

I came to America on a tourist Visa when i was 3 15 years ago. After the visa expired we stayed in America due to Family issues. We tried to become citizens in that time with no advancement in our case. My mom got remarried in the time when I was around 12. She then applied to become a citizen with her new husband. This was 6-7 years ago. Since then our case has not made any improvements with the marriage being called fake and not real even though it was but they just grew apart and got stressed due to immigration issues. For around 2 years nothing has progressed with our case at all. I feel like I am being punished even though I didn't decide to come and my whole life has basically been made here and I constantly feel like I am going to end up deported. It is a constant struggle where it feels like were about to make progress on our case and then it comes to a dead stop once again, not making any progress. I also assume I am going to have to file for citizenship alone now due to me being 18. I am on DACA at the moment but I can't stay on DACA forever. I don't know if it's better to go back home to Europe and take a 10 year ban and try to become a citizen from there, or if I should stay and hope. If I have to leave id rather do it sooner rather than later, especially with me going to college in 3 months and not being able to take out any loans or any financial aid to help me pay for college. I have lost all hope and don't know what to do anymore

You can't file for citizenship without being a LRP first.

Sounds like your best bet is going home.

[Nevad@ 26]

11 hours ago, Jan Adamowicz said:

I came to America on a tourist Visa when i was 3 15 years ago. After the visa expired we stayed in America due to Family issues. We tried to become citizens in that time with no advancement in our case. My mom got remarried in the time when I was around 12. She then applied to become a citizen with her new husband. This was 6-7 years ago. Since then our case has not made any improvements with the marriage being called fake and not real even though it was but they just grew apart and got stressed due to immigration issues. For around 2 years nothing has progressed with our case at all. I feel like I am being punished even though I didn't decide to come and my whole life has basically been made here and I constantly feel like I am going to end up deported. It is a constant struggle where it feels like were about to make progress on our case and then it comes to a dead stop once again, not making any progress. I also assume I am going to have to file for citizenship alone now due to me being 18. I am on DACA at the moment but I can't stay on DACA forever. I don't know if it's better to go back home to Europe and take a 10 year ban and try to become a citizen from there, or if I should stay and hope. If I have to leave id rather do it sooner rather than later, especially with me going to college in 3 months and not being able to take out any loans or any financial aid to help me pay for college. I have lost all hope and don't know what to do anymore

Do you have a European passport?

[JoeSchmoe2017 92]

I agree with @Mollie09, best to go back.  Good luck.

[kemm360 144]

US immigration system is very updated. You might have to go back

[evapaula 230]

to be clear, going back is not an answer to your ultimate goal of citizenship. Unfortunately, there's no easy answer to your dilemma and you are stuck in limbo/DACA.

[shumway1756 304]

This is an unfortunate case where, although you yourself did not create this situation, the choices that others (your parents) made unfortunately have consequences beyond just themselves. I wish you luck on deciding your next steps.

[Teemo 252]

23 hours ago, Jan Adamowicz said:

I came to America on a tourist Visa when i was 3 15 years ago. After the visa expired we stayed in America due to Family issues. We tried to become citizens in that time with no advancement in our case. My mom got remarried in the time when I was around 12. She then applied to become a citizen with her new husband. This was 6-7 years ago. Since then our case has not made any improvements with the marriage being called fake and not real even though it was but they just grew apart and got stressed due to immigration issues. For around 2 years nothing has progressed with our case at all. I feel like I am being punished even though I didn't decide to come and my whole life has basically been made here and I constantly feel like I am going to end up deported. It is a constant struggle where it feels like were about to make progress on our case and then it comes to a dead stop once again, not making any progress. I also assume I am going to have to file for citizenship alone now due to me being 18. I am on DACA at the moment but I can't stay on DACA forever. I don't know if it's better to go back home to Europe and take a 10 year ban and try to become a citizen from there, or if I should stay and hope. If I have to leave id rather do it sooner rather than later, especially with me going to college in 3 months and not being able to take out any loans or any financial aid to help me pay for college. I have lost all hope and don't know what to do anymore

Well it's a frustrating thing to deal with but not sure why you have "lost all hope." To look on the optimistic side sounds like you should be very grateful that DACA was instituted and that it hasn't been able to be terminated yet. It may not even be terminated during this administration and a new administration may be in favor of it. So, that allows you to lead a pretty much "normal" life, which millions of other unlawful immigrants can't say and would do anything to be in. So while I understand you want to "fix" your status for the long-term, for the short and medium term you have no real issues while on DACA. 

 

Without knowing anymore I'd suggest you stay here until you eventually find and marry a US Citizen for love, and till then, you have a work visa and advance parole so you can work and travel and drive like anyone here legally, which is a pretty good scenario. You should only leave if you have no interest in living in the US anymore for at least 10 years, and even then there are no guarantees. 

[njblue 51]

So much negativity here  !  Don’t go back you can stay here and if happens that you find love and marry a us citizen you can apply for your green card. I see you got here with a Tourist visa so you enter the country legally , you can adjust your status here in the USA.  Good luck and stay out of trouble.