Immigration as parent of US citizen

R

ryo

New Member
In march next year, my ex-girlfriend (US citizen) is due to give birth to our child. I've looked on various official web-sites but can't find any precise information about what steps I'd have to take in order to immigrate to the USA to help raise the child, if even possible. One site said that only parents of US citizens that were over 21 can apply for the family based visa, is this true? It seems pretty harsh if that's the case.
Any info much appreciated.

Edit: I am from the UK and have a university degree, if that has any affect on the situation.
 
Ryo,
The information about the age requirement is correct.
You don't have that many options unless you want to marry your ex-girlfriend and raise the child together but I sense this is not a viable one either.

The fact that you have a degree could eventually help you to obtain a temporary H1 visa, but the qotas are already exhausted for this fiscal year (by the way, the current fiscal year started 10 days ago :( )

There are few other options but those are a very long shot.

To sum it up, the fact that your child will be a US citizen will not result in any immigration benefits for you until your child is 21 years old. At that time he/she will be able to file a petition on your behalf.
 
The rule actually makes perfect sense. It is to prevent people from immigrating illegally, entering on a visitor's visa, or otherwise entering the US, having a baby while here, and the immigrating immediately based on parentage to the USC child. The child must no longer be a "child", i.e., must be 21 years old, before the parent can obtain immigration benefits from the child.
 
I suppose it does stop people from taking advantage of it, but it also stops the child from having a father!
Thanks for the info anyway
 
ryo said:
I suppose it does stop people from taking advantage of it, but it also stops the child from having a father!
Thanks for the info anyway
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No, it stops the father from living in the United States. If you have not violated any laws, including immigration laws, then you can obtain a visa and come to the US. As a British Citizen, you can enter at will for up to 3 months without the need of a visa. Granted that is not the ideal situation but many parents who are no longer together live across the country (and sometimes even around the world) from each other. The child still has a father, the father just can't live in the US.
 
Jim Mills said:
The child still has a father, the father just can't live in the US.
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From a point of view of someone who grew up in an incomplete family I disagree. But that's a different discussion.
 
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