Anyone Care to hear my rant? (22 y/o Canadian stuck in the US)

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Consider applying to a Canadian University or college since you qualify. Tuition is not nearly as expensive as in the US and you can get the most moderate temperatures on the west coast in British Columbia. Your parents don't like the cold so they don't want to go back, but you might find that there are places in Canada where the weather is not as bad as some places in the US. Southwestern Ontario is another option, although they do get snow and winter, just not as much as elsewhere in Canada.

There is no legal option in your current circumstances for you to remain in the US. Yes, it sucks and yes, it seems unfair that you have grown up here and now have no way to build a life here. You do have choices though and one of them is moving back to Canada - a choice that many people around the world would love to have and don't. Going back to school in Canada may give you the qualifications you need to return to the US through the NAFTA treaty, or on an employment visa. Why not try to make that your goal, then? Getting the skills and education you need that will make you welcomed by the US, if that is still your goal after you have obtained those skills. You might even want to do some research now to find out what skills are most in demand in the US and aim yourself towards that end.

Will it be easy? Nope. Will it happen immediately? Again, no. You are young and you are dealing with circumstances over which you have no control, so the best thing to do is to try and control what you can and move in that direction. You have options in Canada - take advantage of them. Being successful in life, whether it is in Canada, the US or Iraq - or any other country - comes from recognizing the circumstances in which you must operate, and then figuring out how to do it so you get where you want to be. You might have to end up dealing with cold weather for several months of the year. So what? You'd have to do the same if you were living in 50% of the US as well. Try to recognize the opportunities that come disguised as challenges and you may be surprised by how much you are able to accomplish with your life. Believe me when I say that the goals you have today may very well change over the coming years. Life is not static You may find that life outside of the US is also very satisfying and fulfilling. Good luck to you.

Edited December 18, 2011 by Kathryn41

[az110965 252]

Sounds like a wonderful mother and father. Too bad no one will give the OP the phone number to ICE (1-866-347-2423), being that THEY also are here illegally. Perhaps ICE could help the parents relocate also.

[EminTX 131]

People show up here at the border with nothing but the clothes on their backs and scratch out a living illegally.

You can show up there, at the Canadian border, and begin to scratch out a living LEGALLY.

What steps have you begun to try to get a Canadian passport or ID? What research have you done to make this process easier? Do your parents still have your legal documents? This is something that I have wondered about for all illegal invaders of our borders. Perhaps this would be a good thread to discuss separately.

As a Canadian, you have options. Stating that living in the US makes you an American, is an indication that you are delusional.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

I am an illegal immigrant from Canada (Born there). I came to the US in 1999 when I was 10 years old with my family who was here on some sort of business visa (PHX AZ).

No you are not.

An illegal immigrant entered the U.S. totally without inspection by climbing a fence, swimming through the Rio Grande, or hiding inside the trunk of a car. You did not do that. You entered the U.S. with inspection, with a visa in your passport. You are out of status.

Me.. I've got nothing. No papers. Immigration wise I'm just as good as those Mexican guys you see standing in the home depot lot.

No, you're not. Those are illegal aliens, you are not. They can't file for AoS, you can, once the time comes.

I've found out its pretty much impossible for me to get any kind of status here unless I am a famous athlete or a millionaire looking to invest.

And another mistake. Even becoming world champion or having $20,0000,000 in cash wouldn't help you as you are out of status.

I now get extremely jealous seeing all these new Iraqi people coming here as refugees and the US government literally handing them green cards and putting them on a path towards citizenship. What really bothers me is that so many of these people are just lazy and unintelligent. They all live off welfare and food stamps. #######??? A person like me could make so much better use of a social security card, green card, and citizenship.

You are not jealous, you are bitter and unfair. If somebody bombed the living daylight out of your family, you had a reason to complain.

What am I supposed to do? Besides going to Canada with nothing. This just isn't fair.

First, ask your parents. They did this to you. How do they live in the U.S. now?

Second, once you get married to a US citizen, you are eligible for Adjustment of Status.

Third, in late 2013 or early 2014 the DREAM Act will become law. That will also get you a Green Card.

Edited December 18, 2011 by Brother Hesekiel

[az110965 252]

People show up here at the border with nothing but the clothes on their backs and scratch out a living illegally.

You can show up there, at the Canadian border, and begin to scratch out a living LEGALLY.

What steps have you begun to try to get a Canadian passport or ID? What research have you done to make this process easier? Do your parents still have your legal documents? This is something that I have wondered about for all illegal invaders of our borders. Perhaps this would be a good thread to discuss separately.

As a Canadian, you have options. Stating that living in the US makes you an American, is an indication that you are delusional.

You bring up a couple of good points. If the OP doesn't have his birth certificate or other legal documents, Canadian Border Patrol would not allow him into Canada. Usually, Canada turns around US Citizens they won't admit for travel - the US does the same thing, but in those instances those folks have passports or ID's. I wonder what would happen to the OP if Canada refused to admit him?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

He can always apply for a copy of his Canadian birth certificate through the mail if he doesn't have a copy. The addresses are readily available on line and in some provinces he can even apply on line. He can also apply for a Canadian passport through the mail. Identification is available. These are not reasons to prevent him from returning to Canada.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I am sorry but this is the only response I can take seriously.

To answer your question. I previous to being 18 I never really knew/considered my immigration status was an issue. I was focused on my studied in high school and overall having fun with friends and my life. I realized what was going on when I couldn't get into a university. I was given false hopes and promises from my mother that she would help me acquire some sort of status here. I waited and waited for nothing until this past year and a half that I am screwed. I've looked in every corner and looked at every page. There's nothing I've found that I can do.

To the other posters... Wow. Am I being mocked or trolled here? These can't be serious responses.

LOL @ "Canada... Go there." Yes because it's just that simple right? I am just as American as anyone else in this country and have more American pride than anyone I personally know.

As for Iraq, I have nothing that associates me with that country other than my parents were born there. I'd be just as illegal there as I am here. I am seriously laughing out loud at the comment that Saddam is gone and there's no US military so it's a wonderful democratic country.. PLEASE!! I am surely being mocked here, are you completely delusional as to what's happening there along with the conditions? Ever watch the news and look past the propaganda? That Iraqi economy sure is booming now, US has nothing on Iraq.. Yeah, right.

Folks, I came in here looking for helpful advice. Not to be mocked and given rude responses to pretty much "get the #### out". If your idea of good advice is to just to go back to Canada with nothing and no one just to struggle to survive then please keep that to yourself. I am hurting no one and have done nothing illegal. I am not leeching of anyone's precious tax dollars as my family pays taxes too.

I was not mocking you and yes it is very simple to go to Canada. Get a copy of your birth certificate by mail and go. I was there today AGAIN, yesterday in Montreal, today in Ottawa. Very simple. The border is like a toll booth, show passport, green card and VOILA! Welcome to Canada. Ate breakfast at home, spent the day in Canada, will eat dinner at home. Very simple.

You are a citizen of Canada, it is your home. It is a nice place.

You have no legal avenue to stay in the US, you have no future in a place where you cannot live a normal life. Go, get an education, they have wonderful colleges and universities in Canada. Build a normal life in the great country you were born in. Good luck!

[Nica_In_Love 98]

I'd say you're lucky that you were born in Canada and not Iraq. Sorry that you're not hearing what you want to hear, but the truth is very simple: you have the option to go back to your home country and start living your real life. Everything you have here can be taken away any minute, but you can avoid this from happening. I've never been to Canada but I have an uncle that has been living there for 20+ years and he loves it. Honestly, you should look into getting the proper Canadian identification and start applying for universities. Like others have said, you do have a bright future, stop living in the dark and make something of your life.

[LostCanadian 1]

Well thanks for the replies everyone. I do have a birth certificate from canada and thats about it.. I started and application online for the Canadian military but they need 2 reference letters from employers and school teachers.. I haven't been in school for almost 5 years so this may be tough and I also have never really had an employer.

Will the dream act still apply to me if I leave the US and come back after a 2 year military serve in Canada or do I have to continue to stay here illegally? I am not looking to get married any time soon and am not willing to get married just for papers because thats pretty immoral and illegal. I don't even have a parking ticket in my name and plan to keep it that way. I'd rather join the US military than Canada's as again I know nothing and no one over there.

[LostCanadian 1]

No you are not.

An illegal immigrant entered the U.S. totally without inspection by climbing a fence, swimming through the Rio Grande, or hiding inside the trunk of a car. You did not do that. You entered the U.S. with inspection, with a visa in your passport. You are out of status.

No, you're not. Those are illegal aliens, you are not. They can't file for AoS, you can, once the time comes.

And another mistake. Even becoming world champion or having $20,0000,000 in cash wouldn't help you as you are out of status.

You are not jealous, you are bitter and unfair. If somebody bombed the living daylight out of your family, you had a reason to complain.

First, ask your parents. They did this to you. How do they live in the U.S. now?

Second, once you get married to a US citizen, you are eligible for Adjustment of Status.

Third, in late 2013 or early 2014 the DREAM Act will become law. That will also get you a Green Card.

Thanks for this great response. I've never had a passport. From what I remember I shared one with my mother when I was a child. As for an AoS, is that only applicable through marriage or some sort of job sponsorship?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

The only forgiveness for overstay is through being the immediate relative of a USC ( as in spouse ) You can't be forgiven for a job. Don't count on a dream act until the job situation is better for legal residents. People still see illegals as stealing their jobs.

[MyLittlePony 340]

Lets see .... Joined:Yesterday

Sock puppet.

[LostCanadian 1]

What are you trying to say?

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

Lets see .... Joined:Yesterday

Sock puppet.

this is surprising coming from you.

[MyLittlePony 340]

this is surprising coming from you.

But im the real deal man of the myth i roamed this site for many years i am a legend.