Deported because parents came here Illegally

[Zero Sum 305]

Fair enough. Just be mindful that one particular experience need not address the general, average experience. Particularly when (at least my interpretation of) the original comment being responded to had everything to do with the topic at hand here.

[Boiler 45,314]

It is common in the UK for 18 year olds to take a gap year and travel the world.

So if not 18, at what age should they be considered to have the nouse that they are in the US illegally?

Edited March 11, 2011 by Boiler

[Zero Sum 305]

It is common in the UK for 18 year olds to take a gap year and travel the world.

So if not 18, at what age should they be considered to have the nouse that thye are in the US illegally?

Why are we expecting products of different households to all behave a certain way? I've always found it kind of odd. Besides, we could also argue that many US teens pretty much only care about fashions, drugs, parties, and who they bang with, instead of the responsibilities of growing up.

Adding to that that probably very few parallels can be drawn between kids in the UK and kids in the US. Just saying.

[Boiler 45,314]

Mt step son finished High School in the UK.

He did like being able to drink legally, trying to think of other significant differences, I will be seeing him this weekend so let me know what you have in mind.

[Zero Sum 305]

Responsible drinking... yeah was there at that age too.

[Dakine10 5,452]

In these type of cases, I put myself in the person's shoes. I imagine myself 17 and everything about me then. If you told me I needed to return to Mexico, I'd rather hide and be homeless in the US. I can imagine my 18 year old self being killed in Mexico in under 2 years and thats not a joke. At 18 I simply could not adapt in time.

Heck at 18 I was a little bit scared to go away to university a few states away.

It would be interesting to hear how people would react in this situation actually, especially those who are sometimes dogmatic about it.

I wonder if you asked any random person - if they found out tomorrow that they were brought here illegaly as a baby and were not a USC - would they voluntarily go to turn themselves to be deported? Would they get up and go to work tomorrow? Hide in the basement?

I don't know what I would do, but I doubt my first choice would involve getting dropped off in downtown Ciudad Juarez being able to speak only English.

[Zero Sum 305]

I'd say that most people would follow the common sense approach, which in this particular example, would be the 'convenient' choice to stick with that which is familiar, familial, and social.

[Boiler 45,314]

I wonder if you asked any random person - if they found out tomorrow that they were brought here illegaly as a baby and were not a USC - would they voluntarily go to turn themselves to be deported?

How would they do that?

Would they get up and go to work tomorrow?

How would they have a job? If they had a job they would know they were illegal.

Hide in the basement?

Why?

I don't know what I would do, but I doubt my first choice would involve getting dropped off in downtown Ciudad Juarez being able to speak only English.

Or Cancun, seems a more popular destination.

So they are not able to converse with parents, family or friends? Never used the self check out at Home Depot?

Never pressed 2?

[Zero Sum 305]

How would they do that?

How would they have a job? If they had a job they would know they were illegal.

Why?

Or Cancun, seems a more popular destination.

So they are not able to converse with parents, family or friends? Never used the self check out at Home Depot?

Never pressed 2?

I doubt the US Taxpayer is deporting people to Cancún.

[Boiler 45,314]

The US Taxpayer is not paying for anybody who wants a free trip home.

[Zero Sum 305]

Given that would contradict the very discussion we're talking about- mainly, kids that have been raised here, feel they belong here, and are more American than anything else, even though legally they do not and are not. Its not that simple even though some will try to make it so.

But if they want to go, then go for it.

[rika60607 215]

Teens are not a homogeneous population. I was scared to move to the US in my mid 20s, going to school and knowing I would have a stipend and I would be staying with some family friends for a while (whom I have not previously met though).

18 years old is just plain too early.

Again, I am NOT comparing my 'college situation' with that of this man and/or other illegal aliens. I'm not deluded. I was merely responding to a particular comment made by Sousuke regarding teenager's ability to adapt, being terrified and such. In general terms.

[Zero Sum 305]

Indeed we were all different. I moved out at 18, away from home. FAR AWAY at times. And that was a choice, which I cherish to this day.

[Dakine10 5,452]

How would they do that?

How would they have a job? If they had a job they would know they were illegal.

Why?

Or Cancun, seems a more popular destination.

So they are not able to converse with parents, family or friends? Never used the self check out at Home Depot?

Never pressed 2?

You misunderstood. I'm not saying what should he have done. I'm asking (hypothetically) what you would do in that situation? (although I wasn't directing the question specifically at you.)

Suppose you find out tommorrow that you were actually born in Mexico and all the documents and ID you have ever had were forgeries and you are now in the US illegally but no one else knows. What would you do? Would you voluntarily report to USCIS tomorrow? Would you think about it for a while? Would you go on with life until you get caught?

I'm not asking what USCIS or ICE should do because I know that already. I'm asking how would we expect ourselves to react?

[Dakine10 5,452]

I'd say that most people would follow the common sense approach, which in this particular example, would be the 'convenient' choice to stick with that which is familiar, familial, and social.

I think that would be the most common reaction. I honestly don't think I would do what this guy did though. I wouldn't start a family, buy a house etc. because my mindset would be to get myself out of that situation, either by becoming legal or preparing to leave. I also know I would not just up and turn myself in the moment I found out.