Thread: Illegal immigration and its innocents.

Well just having joined and reading some of the topics in here, I am amazed at how many actually know their laws and procedures. Excellent. I am currently having to learn a lot myself, as just being classed an Illegal, I have been banned from the US. Ah, now that little bit of info might cause some controversy lol. Actually i am an Australian who has been married to an American for 5 years and living in the continental US. It actually wasnt until recently we discovered, through naivety that I was actually illegal. Damn. Tried to get this fixed quick and turned myself into the authorities, as we were told by homeland security that we should do this if we have nothing to hide, No worries. Got it done. Next thing i am on a plane back to Australia. All because of an oversight in paperwork and a misenterpreation of law. Yes, once again. Our fault. Not blaming anyone here other than because of the upheaval in people abusing US laws, the recommended departments who US citizens should be able to go to for help are now witholding information that could be a huge benefit to them. So by now refusing me access to see my wife and kids back in the US, they are not only punishing me but also one of their own. A person who has served time in the military and paid her dues and now just wants to be married and have a happy life. This is where the immigration issue gets sticky. There are absolute wankers who deserve to be banned from US soil, but there are also a lot of innocents who by misenterpretaion of law are being ripped away from their loved ones at an alarming rate. Who is actually suffering here. Luckily we have 2 senators and a congresswoman who believe that we have been wronged and are now fighting our case with us, along with some attorneys who feel that the law overstepped here. I dont want loopholes or a way out .. I just want to be with my family. I am not in America for America, I am there for my wife. During the time they decided to deport me, my wife had to travel to Oklahoma to take care of her ill mother. She had that to deal with whilst I was trying to renovate the house in case we had to bring her back to our place. She was there for 2 months and about to come home when I was deported. I have now not seen my wife for 5 months. I send her money from Australia to cover bills and kids needs. We talk on the phone everyday, but this just isnt enough. So tell me. how do we define US law when everyone is tarred with the same brush. Hard topic, but one, I think that needs to be looked at seriously. Brian.

Hi Brian, could tell us what it was that you overlooked ?

Actually to be honest it was a couple of things. We assumed much to our stupidity that now married, making me a direct relative of a US citizen, that the paperwork was just a formality. So we plodded along at our pace as we could afford it, being quite high and not being able to afford an attorney at the time. We overlooked the paperwork for change of status. Witch in the final stages meant that i had become a visa violator. No bank robberies no tickets. Not even questioned by police for anything in the whole time i was there. A visa violator. damn huh

That's definitely unfortunate. One thing we Americans sort of know (it's like an unwritten law that we're born knowing) that if you get ANY paperwork from the U.S. government, even something for jury duty.....don't put it on the shelf !!

When you got married you were here legally then, on your visa ?

It amazes me how many people find themselves in this very situation. They always start off with "We weren't paying attention, didn't think it was a big deal, just kept putting it off", et cetera, et cetera.

Don't get me wrong, mate, you and your family are now in a crappy situation, no doubt, and 'Good Luck' getting back in.

Why are there so many people from other places living in this country that think our laws can be ignored with impunity? I would think that if it were me falling in love 5 years ago, KNOWING I was a foreigner, I'd have made damned sure I did WHATEVER IT TOOK to maintain my LEGAL status. When children started popping up, I'd have redoubled my resolve to 'keep it real'. I doubt I'd be saying anything like this:

So we plodded along at our pace as we could afford it, being quite high and not being able to afford an attorney at the time.

Sorry, but 'too stoned too think about it' doesn't engender the kind of sympathy you seem to want. You could always take your wife and kids to Australia. I'd emigrate there myself, but I'm too old and not 'special' enough for consideration. Given the direction of the North American Union, you'll be better off there anyway.

Welcome! robins_aussie

Sorry you are in such a mess and I hope it works out for the best. It is a bummer that you didn't follow the law. At least you are honest about it and not making a bunch of excuses. Start your process and get back here legally.

No kidding PSG, Australia is looking better than the US. Can't go there, it's closed.

Dixie

Didint ask for sympathy and dont want it .. I, if you read have taken full resposibility for our mistake. Lets get one thing straight here before you assume we shelved anything. Oversight. On my wifes part. not mine. Big difference. Even so I will still take the sledge for it. as I am the guest. As was stated by Bush after 911, up to 50% of all documentation was taken off of anything to do withy public access. Therefore making it extrememly hard to find out relevant information, as out attorneys can attest to. How can a US citizen know their legalities if they cant find their own laws? especially in a small town. Also the 2 Senators we now have working with us to rectify this situation. They also know that an oversight in paerwork and an act of willfull holding of relevant information is now the standard protocol for the USCIS. I am living this, so until you do, dont presume anything to do with shelving. I have done everything I could including all of the medical exams, the notification of INS on our marriage 5 years ago and still was not told that I was Illegal. I never said we werent paying attention, you did. Never assume because I havent documented here every bit of information that you may need for peace of mind. Do not tar everyone with the same brush. Thats what has led to a lot of people suffering because of the real illegals abusing the system. brian

I didn't intend to shame you. Stuff happens so pick up the pieces and make it right. Sounds like that is what you are trying to do. That's great and like I said, I appreciate the honesty. Truly, I wish you the best. It is a bad situation and I would hate to be in it.

We are a little cynical. We hear the “I didn't know” story all the time. Truthfully, many do know and they use it as an excuse. It's hard to sort it out. Also, many illegals learn the system and they say what they think or have heard will get them released instead of deported. I guess you could say, you struck a nerve.

Dixie

hey its all good. Yeah you struck a nerve too .. and I gotta admit i am a little touchy at this stage. this is a bitch . In hindsight though, have learnt a lot about the immigration process. All good but so far removed from any other country its unreal. The thing I think pisses me off most, is the fact that we did seek help and it was refused. USCIS, now through policy can only give out text book answers because to many people were using their own words against them. Unfortunate when trying to understand law. I took the US paperwork into an Australian Attorney and he was dumbfounded at the amount of rules and regulations overriding each particular part of legislation. making it impossible for the average person to delve through. My wife in the meantime is working hard on her end to rectify this as there is only so much i can do. But no. I dont put forard excuses. We stuffed up. My fault. For whatever reason. Now I have to re-earn my place in the US system. The thing that I think embedded in their minds the fact that I was serious was simply this. I am quite prepared to become a US cicitzen. Not for the sake of being a citizen of the US, but to secure my family's future. This is what made them pay attention. I think they then realised that I wasnt in this for the high life or the big bucks. i was there for my family. makes a big difference and I think through all the bullshit and the wankers that constantly as you said, put forward excuses, they know if someone is legit. So yeah, we are pickin up the pieces and we will come out on top. Even if it means movin to canada ,lol

Yea it sucks. This one here is trying to do the right thing and go to the govt. but all he gets is a one way ticket out. What about Pedro and Lupe? Oh, they're just hard workers living in the shadows, Give them a break. You wanna talk racism? If Aussie here was Hatian, El Salvadoran or MEXICAN, he would have a beter shot. That sucks.