Can i become a US citizen if I was brought to this country as a child and now I'm 21 but still not one?

Question

Can I become a US citizen if I was brought to this country as a child and now I'm 21 but still not one?

I brought to the US at the age of 2. I had no choice in the matter. I have been through the US education k-12 even being the valedictorian of my graduating class. Currently I will graduate from a university with an accounting degree. It has been extremely hard to get this far under the conditions. It has come to the point that I can't get a job or drive. I have thought about going back to my country but I left at an early age and know nothing of it. (ITS NOT MEXICO) =D I speak English perfectly, I know the constitution and I love this country. I want to know if there is a possibility to become a citizen and finally be all that I can be.

To file for citizenship I need to have a green card which I don't have. I have no documentation in this country at all.

If any lawyers have any advice I would be extremely happy. I do not want to break any laws and would like to do this correctly.

Actually my parents did apply for an amnesty program when we came here. It was a special amnesty with my country (Guatemala) and the US. The program was taken away whilst we were in it and our lawyer did not inform us and from what I heard he was disbarred and disappeared.

In my country if you go back to apply there they ill deny you. They don't want their citizens to leave.

Thanks

Answer 1

I am a US citizen,  Your situation is unfair.  I read the other  answers

and think they are correct that you needed to leave before turning 18.

Maybe a lawyer can help you.  I would like you and anyone else brought here as a child to be able to stay.

Answer 2

My Husband's parents brought him here from Nigeria when he was 3. They came over legally with visa's and due to his father's kidney disease, they overstayed since they don't have that kind of health care in Nigeria and were denied extensions so they became illegal aliens. This is a very messy deal and I can tell you this much, GET A VERY GOOD IMMIGRATION LAWYER if you want to stay in the US. Unfortunatley, it is a very difficult and long process. Also, do not trust the INS, don't go to them for help, they will lie to you and trick you and then they will arrest you since you are illegal, they will throw you in jail, and physically deport you. I am serious they did this to my family and because of huge media coverage and protests he got out. We are married and have a child and we are still fighting it. Just get a lawyer and go over the options as soon as possible!!  

Answer 3

You are already breaking the US law, and you are in this situation no because of you but your parents!!!

You should probably Thank them to ruin your life so far....

Most of thing that do not work in this country are a consequence of stupid action....from Illegals ( like your parents)....or people who kill and robb other people for money ( illegals).

Well going back to your problem....your situation is really bad...Really...I guess you do know how to speak the language of your parents' country....you should first get an ID and Passport or something from the country you come from, then try to go back and apply.....having document at least you may end up in a English spoken county through a Visa.

Answer 4

Being illegal, I am quite surprised at how far you have been able to get.  

I believe you do have to go back to your own country and start the process to come back here legally.  You will have to take the chance and once legal, you can pursue the good life of a legal.

Answer 5

As an illegal alien, if you had left the US before you turned 18 and returned to your own country of citizenship, you would have been able to eventually apply for citizenship if you qualified, and the illegal actions of your parents would not have been held against you.  That was your one and only chance to become a legal immigrant, and you blew it off.  Once you turned 18, you chose as an adult to remain in the US illegally.  Therefore, you are now an illegal alien subject to deportation and bar to re-entry.

As for the "special program" for Guatemalans, it was Temporary Protected Status, not amnesty, and it was never a route to get a green card or any potential for citizenship.  It was only temporary permission to remain in the US.  That is ended and you and your parents were required to return to your own country at your expense.

There is no way whatsoever that you can get a green card now.  Even if you marry a US citizen, you will be deported and barred from re-entry.  You can be arrested, detained and deported, and barred from re-entry.  Or you can return to your own country immediately and voluntarily -- you might get a shorter bar, and at least you can prevent being arrested, jail and deportation.

Answer 6

wow! well if you have a green card then there would be no need to apply for citizenship. But i think there is going to be a amnesty soon. i will ask my parents tonight... what a ka-wink-a dink! my parents are from guatemala!!!!!

Answer 7

hope for the best, i think if you join the army they will let you stay, or if you are Olympic material they will give it to you, I am in the exact same situation, (im great student also) but im 16 and was brought when i was 4 I always thought i was american until recently i wanted to get a job and DRIVE but i cant ):  its time for change

what makes things worse is i see people in school that take their citizenship and they take things for granted they get in trouble with the law skip school do drugs all that c**p and it makes everything so UNFAIR because i want to be successful but i cant do anything