10 yrs in US = perm resident???

[gil-n-joy 1]

Just wanting to get advice here in VJ on what to do with my father's case here in US.

My father entered Guam, US with working visa in 1997. After so many years the contract ended and he flew to mainland US, settled in New York, and became a registered nursing assistant. He continues to work as nurse assistant in NY until now, pays his taxes, etc.

However, he has always been afraid about his status. Not even wanting to fly here in Az for fear of immigration checkpoints or something.

My question is, Is there any way he can legalize his status since he has been here for over 10 years? At least for permanent residency? Just for his peace of mind.

Would be happy to hear expert opinions on this case from the usual helpful Vjers...

Thanks so much!

[Otto 83]

And what exactly is his current immigration status (if any)?

[Dakine 26]

And what exactly is his current immigration status (if any)?

His status is TNT. Tango N Tango. Basically means running and hiding.

Divorce mom. Fall in love and marry a US citizen. and adjust status. Since he entered legally he'd have a shot at it.

If he goes home he'll probably get a 10 year ban. I guess you could petition him after the ban is over but it would be tough.

[DEDixon 39]

Yeap, if he entered the US legally and now he is illegally in the US (or call him "out of status" maybe), I think his only option is to marry a USC to get legal.

USCIS won't allow people who have entered the US illegally to gain legal status through marriage.

If he has a driver's license or even a passport, he can fly and they won't question him unless for whatever reason someone reported a strange acting person on the same flight as your dad. Sometimes the actions of others cause the authorities to do things they don't normally do. If the flight is normal, he would be okay.

Good luck!

[mamaSue 38]

I don't think his status can be TNT.....

He's been working in the US... and paying taxes... so he must have a SS card.

Correct me if I'm wrong.... an illegal alien can't obtain a SS card!

This is definitely a question for the experts.... maybe he needs to consult an immigration lawyer to find out what he can do.

[Dakine 26]

Yeap, if he entered the US legally and now he is illegally in the US (or call him "out of status" maybe), I think his only option is to marry a USC to get legal.

USCIS won't allow people who have entered the US illegally to gain legal status through marriage.

If he has a driver's license or even a passport, he can fly and they won't question him unless for whatever reason someone reported a strange acting person on the same flight as your dad. Sometimes the actions of others cause the authorities to do things they don't normally do. If the flight is normal, he would be okay.

Good luck!

DON'T let him take a Greyhound as ICE checks the passengers frequently in the border states.

[baron555 934]

I don't think his status can be TNT.....

He's been working in the US... and paying taxes... so he must have a SS card.

Correct me if I'm wrong.... an illegal alien can't obtain a SS card!

This is definitely a question for the experts.... maybe he needs to consult an immigration lawyer to find out what he can do.

Oh, yes you can. Go to 43rd street and you can get any kind of card you want.

[lucyrich 20]

I don't think his status can be TNT.....

He's been working in the US... and paying taxes... so he must have a SS card.

Correct me if I'm wrong.... an illegal alien can't obtain a SS card!

Perhaps you're right that an illegal alien can't obtain a new SS card, but if a person obtained a legal SS card in the past, the expiration or termination of immigration status won't necessarily cause the card to evaporate, and it definitely won't cause the number to go away. So it's certainly NOT true that anyone with a SS card automatically has valid current immigration status.

Furthermore, some people work and pay taxes using an ITIN, which an illegal immigrant CAN obtain.

And others work and pay taxes using forged SS documents, which are also obtainable without having valid immigration status.

[soniew910 0]

he's been here so long and no US girlfriend? although, remind your dad, that a marriage with the intent to get permanent residency is fraudulent and deportable offense and will make him a target of ICE.