Question about family brought over on work visa

[cybria 0]

This question is actually for a friend of mine who was born in Cameroon. Fifteen years ago, her father got a job here and his employer sponsored him along with his family to come to the states. The dad decided that the fast paced life here wasn't for him, so he returned to Cameroon. However my friend decided to stay here since she had reached adulthood. So she's actually lived here since she was fifteen, but accordiing to her the only option she has for becoming a U.S citizen is to marry another citizen. Is that correct? I would think she would have the option to become a citizen once she's lived here for so long.

[canadian_wife 1,802]

She was on a dependent visa correct? If she was 15, her visa was based on her father's visa. She is currently out of status. She does not have any options.

good luck

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

...accordiing to her the only option she has for becoming a U.S citizen is to marry another citizen. Is that correct?

Under current law, that is correct, as long as she did not marry solely to acquire an immigration benefit and the last time she entered the US it was legally.

[cybria 0]

Oh wow, that is really tough. :/ Thanks for your answers.

[JayJayH 546]

You can live her for 5 years as a permanent resident and apply for citizenship.

Or you can live here for 50 years illegally and never be eligible for citizenship.

It all depends what your status is while you live here.

If she came as a dependent of her father's visa, she has been living here illegally ever since the day he returned to Cameroon. Her amount of illegal presence would have begun counting against her since the day she was 18 and a half.

If she has currently been here for more than one year after she turned 18 and a half, she will not be able to return to the US for at least 10 years once she leaves. The only way she can adjust her status at this point is through a bona fide marriage to a US citizen.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Yang-Ja