hopeful_joe
New Member
5 years ago, I entered this country as a student. My intentions were to go to school but also to live here. Entering as a student was my only option, as I was 18 back then and had no relatives in the US (and still don't).
Due to its expenses, I had to drop out of school 2 years later, and get a job with the intention of going back to school after saving up some money.
Slowly, I started liking my job, and started climbing up the company ladder and became very successful without having to go back to school. All this time I've been very careful and moved few times. I paid taxes every year just like normal citizens do. So I assumed that I was overlooked and everying would be ok.
What else would I do? There was/is no way of me becoming a legal resident.
Today the phone rings at work and I pick up. The caller asked for MR. [my last name here], and identified himself as someone from Department of Homeland Security. I have no idea how they found my location and phone number. (But then again they're the DHS, they can do anything. Hell, they're probably reading this.. HI!!).
He said that I was out of status and that I needed to appear THIS monday (three days from the time the call was made) at some immigration office to discuss my situation. He said something about me having no criminal background, and that because of that, I can be under "Adminstrative Arrest" and that I can "probably go home" after that. He also said something about going before a judge to disucss my case.
What should I expect? What is Adminstrative arrest? What's going to happen? There is no time to hire a lawyer. They call me Friday and want me to meet them on Monday!!
Going back home is not an option. I spent 5 years of my life trying to make a life for myself and future family here. My career is just taking off. I love this country and consider myself American regardless of the official papers say. I'd rather die in a jail cell than to go back where I came from.
I do not currently have a family here, nor am I married, which I know does hurt my case. I cannot and will not go back. What should I do? I will try getting a lawyer, but I probably cannot do that before I have to go meet them on Monday.
I'd appreciate any advise, other than "just go back."
Thank you.
Due to its expenses, I had to drop out of school 2 years later, and get a job with the intention of going back to school after saving up some money.
Slowly, I started liking my job, and started climbing up the company ladder and became very successful without having to go back to school. All this time I've been very careful and moved few times. I paid taxes every year just like normal citizens do. So I assumed that I was overlooked and everying would be ok.
What else would I do? There was/is no way of me becoming a legal resident.
Today the phone rings at work and I pick up. The caller asked for MR. [my last name here], and identified himself as someone from Department of Homeland Security. I have no idea how they found my location and phone number. (But then again they're the DHS, they can do anything. Hell, they're probably reading this.. HI!!).
He said that I was out of status and that I needed to appear THIS monday (three days from the time the call was made) at some immigration office to discuss my situation. He said something about me having no criminal background, and that because of that, I can be under "Adminstrative Arrest" and that I can "probably go home" after that. He also said something about going before a judge to disucss my case.
What should I expect? What is Adminstrative arrest? What's going to happen? There is no time to hire a lawyer. They call me Friday and want me to meet them on Monday!!
Going back home is not an option. I spent 5 years of my life trying to make a life for myself and future family here. My career is just taking off. I love this country and consider myself American regardless of the official papers say. I'd rather die in a jail cell than to go back where I came from.
I do not currently have a family here, nor am I married, which I know does hurt my case. I cannot and will not go back. What should I do? I will try getting a lawyer, but I probably cannot do that before I have to go meet them on Monday.
I'd appreciate any advise, other than "just go back."
Thank you.
