Overstayers, share your experience here.

[mawilson 2,133]

Wow so you think if it serves your specific purpose then its ok to break the law. Well how about I go steal a 6 pack of bud because I am thirsty, its against the law to steal but I am thirsty and its not hurting anyone so its really ok.

Sometimes it's ok to steal a 6-pack of Bud when you're thirsty. Think Hurricane Katrina.

[Marie1123 0]

I think it's no one's place to judge others. Each of us have our own unique situation. I for one am an overstay, I came to this country when I was 12 on a visitor's visa, I was adopted by family members and was supposed to become an automatic US citizen via adoption. Turns out I was adopted 4 days after my 16th birthday and my petition was denied because it was after age 16. I finished H.S, got a track scholarship and went on to College. Now I'm 26, married with a kid and about to go for my AOS interview on Tuesday. Some of you may judge and say it's unfair, but believe me when I say living here illegally is not an easy task. Up to now, I haven't been able to do normal things: drive, have my own bank account, work etc. I've been in this country longer than I've been in my own country, I haven't seen my biological immediate family in 13 years. Those of you that did it the "right way" may think so what, but before you judge others think about why they did it. I had no control over my situation, I didn't even know what a greencard and citizenship was.

Good luck to me on Tuesday

[maria_b84 0]

Maria,

Immigration law is really confusing and was not written all at the same time, so some things seem out of balance to each other. It is too simple to say "this one followed the rules and this one didn't". People who are Adjusting Status are all in one big line, so what difference does it make if they are Adjusting from a K visa, a J visa, an F or a B (VWP)?

Because the rules are so complex, it's worth getting the proper information beforehand. For example, I'm curious why your husband didn't file his petition for you in Italy? Your case could've been completed (to an Immigrant Visa CR-1) in a matter of a couple of months, and you'd be coming in with your Green Card instead of needing to wait to Adjust Status. Both situations "follow the rules" but one is faster and more complete. Does that make the faster, more complete way 'wrong', or go around the rules?

I'm posting back to this because I don't want future readers to be confused about the OPs situation and think that she did something 'wrong'. Those who are convinced that she did better hope they never have to rely on the advice of a professional who does them wrong.

first off, I've never said she did something wrong (probably you did it) and secondly let me just tell you this:

my husband couldn't file the petition here in Rome because he is not a resident yet. It takes a lot of time for the residency here to come, its not like america. So if you are curious but don't know anything about other country's regulations/rules, just don't talk. Thirdly it takes a year before you get the CR1 visa here, sometimes even a year and a half and not a couple of months more than a K3. I am not in a hurry that I need the GC so bad. As a matter of fact I don't give a ####### about this, I got married and I wnated to stay in Italy but my husband wanted to bring me to the US and I have to follow him. Its not funny being 21 and leaving your family without a college degree and with no hopes for you future. You are probably 30 if not more and you didn't have to do this when you were younger, not as young as us at least. And by the way, I think Immigration has to decide on her case. They're there for that , aren't they? I don't know why you have to judge my K3 visa. I think it is PERFECTLY legal and it none of your business

Maria

[meauxna 15]

Maria, I'm afraid you've taken my words the opposite way of how I intended. I'm not judging your path at all, and I have no complaint about what you did.

I'm sorry you were offended. That is not what I intended.

meauxna

[maria_b84 0]

I'm not offended at all, you don't need to be sorry. I was just making my point....as you said immigration rules are pretty tough and they're not a joke. Believe me, I am tired of dealing with this. My life is controlled, our life is controlled, we need to prove this, we need to prove that. You have no privacy, everything you do as a couple needs to be documentated. Sometimes it feels like I'm a prison or something. And most of these things affect the marriage too. I see a lot of couples here in Italy and they live normally, the way wo should but we CAN'T because immigration is always right by our side to keep our company. I have never killed anybody, I have never committed a crime or anything like that. I love to respect people and I love to be respected by them, I am just a normal person....and still I am asking myself why I need to report everything I do to them like I am in jail.

I apologize If I was kind of upset before, I didn't mean that

Maria

[Moon9393 0]

first off, I've never said she did something wrong (probably you did it) and secondly let me just tell you this:

my husband couldn't file the petition here in Rome because he is not a resident yet. It takes a lot of time for the residency here to come, its not like america. So if you are curious but don't know anything about other country's regulations/rules, just don't talk. Thirdly it takes a year before you get the CR1 visa here, sometimes even a year and a half and not a couple of months more than a K3. I am not in a hurry that I need the GC so bad. As a matter of fact I don't give a ####### about this, I got married and I wnated to stay in Italy but my husband wanted to bring me to the US and I have to follow him. Its not funny being 21 and leaving your family without a college degree and with no hopes for you future. You are probably 30 if not more and you didn't have to do this when you were younger, not as young as us at least. And by the way, I think Immigration has to decide on her case. They're there for that , aren't they? I don't know why you have to judge my K3 visa. I think it is PERFECTLY legal and it none of your business

Maria

yeah I agree that in italy they can make you wait for yeaaars

I'm not offended at all, you don't need to be sorry. I was just making my point....as you said immigration rules are pretty tough and they're not a joke. Believe me, I am tired of dealing with this. My life is controlled, our life is controlled, we need to prove this, we need to prove that. You have no privacy, everything you do as a couple needs to be documentated. Sometimes it feels like I'm a prison or something. And most of these things affect the marriage too. I see a lot of couples here in Italy and they live normally, the way wo should but we CAN'T because immigration is always right by our side to keep our company. I have never killed anybody, I have never committed a crime or anything like that. I love to respect people and I love to be respected by them, I am just a normal person....and still I am asking myself why I need to report everything I do to them like I am in jail.

I apologize If I was kind of upset before, I didn't mean that

Maria

I know what you mean I hate the fact i gotta prove all the time that I married him cause i love him and not cause i wanted to come in the US. But you know it wont always be like that. Once you'll get your papers straight u can forget about them for a while! Its hard at first but not impossible. Email me if u wanna talk about it ciao

[dmartmar 1]

I was just making my point....as you said immigration rules are pretty tough and they're not a joke. Believe me, I am tired of dealing with this. My life is controlled, our life is controlled, we need to prove this, we need to prove that. You have no privacy, everything you do as a couple needs to be documentated. Sometimes it feels like I'm a prison or something. And most of these things affect the marriage too. I see a lot of couples here in Italy and they live normally, the way wo should but we CAN'T because immigration is always right by our side to keep our company. I have never killed anybody, I have never committed a crime or anything like that. I love to respect people and I love to be respected by them, I am just a normal person....and still I am asking myself why I need to report everything I do to them like I am in jail.

You make it seem as if Immigration is purposely picking on you only, when in reality, all they're doing is making sure you and every other immigrant that comes here follows the law and does so for the right reasons/purposes, and not to get immigration benefits only.

You should not complain and blame the Agency for being how they are and doing things the way they do, but should instead complain and blame the thousands of immigrants that come here with ulterior motives and/or purposely try to circumvent US immigration laws to their advantage, for example by marrying USCs fraudulently or using/abusing Immigration laws to their favor, thus being the ones really making things harder, lengthier and frustrating for legit immigrants such as yourself.

[maria_b84 0]

You make it seem as if Immigration is purposely picking on you only, when in reality, all they're doing is making sure you and every other immigrant that comes here follows the law and does so for the right reasons/purposes, and not to get immigration benefits only.

You should not complain and blame the Agency for being how they are and doing things the way they do, but should instead complain and blame the thousands of immigrants that come here with ulterior motives and/or purposely try to circumvent US immigration laws to their advantage, for example by marrying USCs fraudulently or using/abusing Immigration laws to their favor, thus being the ones really making things harder, lengthier and frustrating for legit immigrants such as yourself.

I actually don't make anything, unless you have something to make.....I don't blame anyone, I don't care. Why should I? I didn't say anything about the Agency (do you see the word "agency" in my post?) I'm just complaining about the service, that's it. I don't know why I have to pay a lot of money and even feel like I'm in prison. You can see that this doesn't make any sense at all. By the way, I don't think there're a lot of fraudulent marriages nowadays. Its impossible to cheat with these laws (as you said). I also think that Immigration has its own fault in all this situation...think how many contrasting immigration laws there are.....

[dmartmar 1]

I actually don't make anything, unless you have something to make.....I don't blame anyone, I don't care. Why should I? I didn't say anything about the Agency (do you see the word "agency" in my post?) I'm just complaining about the service, that's it. I don't know why I have to pay a lot of money and even feel like I'm in prison. You can see that this doesn't make any sense at all. By the way, I don't think there're a lot of fraudulent marriages nowadays. Its impossible to cheat with these laws (as you said).

Doesn't the Agency provide the service you're so much complaining about?

And you'd be surprised at how many immigrants marry solely to obtain a green card.

[maria_b84 0]

Doesn't the Agency provide the service you're so much complaining about?

And you'd be surprised at how many immigrants marry solely to obtain a green card.

Do you work for the USCIS? I don't know why you're so angry that I'm complaining then.....that can be the only explanation, plus the fact that you don't have aeither any timeline or information on your profile....

Anyways, if you could stop being against me, that would help thanks

Maria

[hcj 0]

You are probably 30 if not more and you didn't have to do this when you were younger, not as young as us at least.

Did I hear a glove thrown down? Why Meaxna, I believe you're not a day over 29.

(Maria -- this is all in good fun -- I'm not making light of *your* age or immigration experience.)

[maria_b84 0]

You are probably 30 if not more and you didn't have to do this when you were younger, not as young as us at least.

Did I hear a glove thrown down? Why Meaxna, I believe you're not a day over 29.

(Maria -- this is all in good fun -- I'm not making light of *your* age or immigration experience.)

I didn't throw anything.....I didn't know he/she was 29 and I think I got pretty close anyways

This about your immigration experience and I'll think about my thanks

Maria

[Kez/JWolf 6]

What has age got to do with anything???? or am I missing something here???

Kezzie

[hcj 0]

What has age got to do with anything???? or am I missing something here???

Kezzie

It doesn't. I was just poking fun. For us "old farts" over the <gasp> age of 30.

I don't think anyone is getting my joke though. That's OK, it's still funny to me.

Edited February 27, 2006 by hcj

[sanaay 0]

well the OP has left the stage so the thread was hijacked and is now not even relating to Overstayers experiences *sigh* Any other overstayers brave enough to start the thread anew? it would interesting to see experiences under those circumstances especially since this site is to be used to post *ALL* immigration experiences good, bad and ugly.